Toyin Folorunso

Nigeria

Metal Bas-Relief Sculpture

Toyin and Tirimisiyu, through the blacksmiths art, create the most intricate images on aluminum panels. These artists use a repoussé method, which is the process of ornamenting aluminum surfaces with designs in relief by hammering out from the back. Sometimes it can be done by pressing the reverse side. Literally the French meaning for repoussé is “to push forward”. The artists use local blacksmithing tools like chisel hammer, knife, punches, and hot coals for forging. This folk art is hung on palace walls and around village houses as decorations that tell local folkloric stories and of local ceremonial events.

Both of these artists were born into families of traditional artists in Oshogbo, Nigeria, which is known as the broad middle belt of Nigeria. In the African tradition, history is mainly conveyed through storytelling and oral recitation, and is a way to bring people together. This type of folk art is one way that oral history and storytelling is conveyed by a different medium. Both of these artists learned these art forms from their family members. Toyin learned it from his father and he has an established gallery in Osogbo. Tirimisiyu Nasiru learned from his parents and he is a member of the Nigeria Association of Visual and Performing Artists.