Return of the Drummers.
Nigeria’s African Art Explosions in the early 1960’s made the artistic talent in the then young Jimoh Buraimoh discovered, and this was at an arts workshop organised by late Ulli Beier and his wife Georgina in Osogbo,in the Western part of Nigeria.
Noted for his ability to make use of beads to create images and tell stories, Buraimoh (Nigeria, 1943) popularly known as JB has transformed from bead paintings into the mastery of Mosaic paintings.
About:
With majority of his works being influenced by traditional Yoruba mythology and culture,the widely travelled,acclaimed artist and educator’s work is being distinguished by the frequent use of beads which was traditionally reserved for the Kings and noble people.
In a chat recently with our reporter in Osogbo where he resides with his family, Buraimoh who is also on the board of Trustees of Center for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo,a UNESCO acclaimed center opined that the timely intervention of late Prof. Ulli Beier and his wife Georginna was a divine intervention in his life.
Couple.
” My aim was to go to the University or any Higher Instititions and end up as a white collar job-man which I later realised wouldnt have helped me or my inner talents. Perharps, I would have rotten away with many ideas flowing through my blood veins then. But entering into arts has allowed me to express myself freely, promote the African culture the way it should be done. I have no regrets as i have duly realised that arts is my life. It is the blood that flows in my veins. It is the water that I drink every day. I am happy that someone was able to discoverd me very ealy on in life and this is the reason I also have done many trainings for the young ones and that of those inclined with arts”.
Meeting of Elders.
Truly to his words, Jimoh Buramoh who is the Baale Gbodofon of Osogbo,the title which means the Mayor of Osogboland has indeed organised both in-house trainings and overseas programmes for arts inclined fellows and youths, in such institutions like ArtsCool,City of Atlanta Bureau Of Cultural Affairs, Atlanta, Georgia USA,(2003),Haverly Hey Primary School, Manchester, England(2002), Medlock Primary School, Manchester, England(2002),Art Teachers Workshop, Somerset, England(2001),Fulton Art Council, Atlanta, Georgia USA(1998),Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Atlanta, Georgia USA(1998 and 1997)respectively,African Centre, London, England(1985),Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria(1980) etc to mention but few.
Unity.
Adjusting the bead on his hand,which shows his status as a High chief in the land, he expressed futher that his decision to make use of tradtional beads rise from the culture of the
Yoruba people of Nigeria who have traditionally incorporated beads in many of their artforms.
” I love culture and I promote history of my people in Yorubaland. The Yoruba Obas have a way of looking splendid in beaded crowns,in particular,the King’s regalia, including apparels, shoes and walking sticks. My innovation was to adapt this traditional use to the more contemporary works of arts.As you know, the beads are royal symbols of the kings worldly and spiritual powers.From these, I draw the colours I intend to use, the shape or pattern I want to form, this also carry deep into the system the traditional masks or Egungun which we have in our land,it is are the story I even want to tell in some cases!The abnormal heights of the crowns, the the regularities in the shapes that increases my intrigues to build up my talents and the the curiousity in me.
Untitled.
From these, I also draw the colours I intend to use, the shape or pattern I want to form, this simply carry deep into the system the traditional masks or Egungun which we have in our land,these are the stories I even want to tell in some cases! The abnormal heights of the crowns, the regularities in the shapes increases my intrigues to build my talents. My interest today is to majorly spread the gospel of bead-paintings especially to a younger generations which to me is a must”.
Untitled, 1978.
While majority of his works are displayed both at home and abroad, Buraimoh is a king honoured in both his native land and abroad!. His works permanently adourned the Smithsonia Museum of African Arts in Washington DC, USA and the Presidential mansion in Abuja,Nigeria.
(Jumoke Owoola on ‘Afrowood’, June 2014.)