Nigeria’s foremost sculptor and environmental artist Dotun Popoola recently delivered a magnificent sculptural piece of a lion commissioned by Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Kusenla 111 of Ikate Kingdom in his palace in Lekki Lagos.
He said that the lion sculpture size: 14-ft long, 8.5-ft high, and 4-ft broad and weighing 300kg, was created to encapsulate history, culture, royalty, elegance, luxury, and sustainability. He pointed out that it was made with scrap metals, mild steel, aluminium, bronze, automobile parts, auto-based pigment, and took more than 2 years to finish the work.
Popoola said he discovered from research, especially from the book, ‘The Evolution of Ikate Kingdom,’ authored by Prof. Habeeb Sanni, Dr Bashir Animashaun, and Dr Olawale Lawal, establishing the royal lineage dating back to 1632, that the Ikate Kingdom’s strength and courage is symbolized by lions despite various mythological interpretations and descriptions.
“The kingdom proudly declares in Yoruba language, “A ti de ade kinihun,” which means that ‘we have been enthroned with the crown of the lion’. And it has contributed significantly to Lagos’ industrial, social and economic progress,” he disclosed.
The artist attributed the spate of urbanisation in Lagos State with the emergence of several flourishing towns in Ikate Kingdom noting that “Elegushi lays firm royal and ruling claim to Ikate-Elegushi economic development. This claim is no way a fabled logic but one with sound historical footing,” he added.
Characterising the two pieces of lions he was commissioned to sculpt by the king, Popoola said. “This first one reflects his fierce and bold personality while the second one will be a sitting lion that reflects his calm royal mien laced with icons, symbols, forms and colors.”
He described the work as symbolic adding “If there’s going to be any ornamentation to the throne of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, it wouldn’t be an insignia of leopard, tiger or cheetah but that of a lion and if the strength of the current King is to be historically documented, it must be related with a story of a lion. In some other African thrones, it can be other parts of lions.
“I discovered from findings that Oba Elegushi’s soft spot for lions hinges on the fact that he thinks and takes decisions like a lion. In African mythology, lion to thrones symbolizes strength, bravery, good communication skills, and willingness to fight in the bigger schemes of things.”
Popoola described the work further; “On the right hand side of the piece are the 21 white cap chiefs and his father while on the left is his sculpted portrait of 100 kg bronze and some of his ancestors hidden inside the lion. We also have a sculpted image of Eyo Adimu inside the piece performing for him and appealing to the gods to guide him through his reign.
“The piece was finished with anti-rust, clear coats and garnished with Ultraviolet (UV) protection to preserve it from the environment’s proximity to the sea and acid rain and salt water. It is glossy and sealed to avoid yearly maintenance and It can remain like that for the next 2-3 years.”
