Her Royal Majesty, Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, has unveiled a monumental artwork, L’Extinction (No to Extinction), valued at over ₦14 billion. The unveiling took place on Monday at the Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, as part of the ongoing Aje Festival celebrations.
The artwork, created by artists Olapeju Twins and Olulaja Akeredolu, is carved from the endangered thorn tree, a once-abundant species now threatened by deforestation and logging. Queen Aderonke explained that L’Extinction serves as a symbolic call to action, urging society to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous arts and natural environment.
Speaking at the unveiling, Queen Aderonke emphasized the historical and cultural significance of thorn carving, a unique art form pioneered in the 1930s by renowned artist Chief Justus Akeredolu of Owo. Despite its deep cultural roots, thorn carving has nearly disappeared over the years, overshadowed by modern artistic trends and environmental degradation.
“This is the most important piece of thorn carving in history because it is the first artistic statement that boldly tells us to say ‘No to Extinction,’” she said.
In addition to reviving thorn carving, the Queen also highlighted efforts to restore Gbowoyo, a prestigious handwoven aso-oke cloth from Owo, traditionally known as “the expensive cloth that takes all the money.”
Drawing a striking comparison, Queen Aderonke noted that thorn carving emerged in Nigeria around the same time (1932) that Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen invented wooden LEGO toys. While LEGO has grown into a multi-billion-dollar global industry, Nigeria’s thorn carving tradition has nearly faded into obscurity.
“To revive this lost legacy, we must recognize its value and elevate it to its rightful place, just as LEGO has done on a global scale,” she stated.
Artist Olulaja Akeredolu expressed gratitude to Queen Aderonke for her unwavering support in preserving Nigeria’s indigenous arts. He described L’Extinction as a powerful artistic and environmental statement.
“This work does not just honor Yoruba artistic legacies; it insists on their continued relevance and high valuation,” he said. “Unlike conventional wood carvings, thorn carving is environmentally friendly, as it utilizes tree thorns rather than cutting down trees.”
Environmental advocate and artist Olapeju Olayemi also spoke on the significance of the artwork, emphasizing its historical value and the urgent need to safeguard Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
With the unveiling of L’Extinction, Queen Aderonke and the artists hope to inspire a renewed appreciation for thorn carving, transforming it from an endangered craft into a globally recognized art form.
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