Yoruba Horseman Figure by Dejo Fakeye Nigeria MATTER COLLECTION

Excellent condition and detailed carving! Has the artist's name carved in the base, Dejo Fakeye.

Dejo Fakeye (1933–2009)
Nigerian Master Woodcarver, Educator, and Cultural Ambassador

Dejo Fakeye was one of Nigeria’s most celebrated traditional woodcarvers and a pivotal figure in the preservation and global recognition of Yoruba carving traditions. Born in 1933 in Ila-Orangun, in present-day Osun State, Nigeria, Fakeye came from a respected lineage of carvers and was immersed in the artistic heritage of the Yoruba people from an early age.

He trained under his father and later became associated with the influential Oye-Ekiti carving center, where he refined a style that balanced classical Yoruba forms with subtle innovation. Fakeye’s work reflects the hallmarks of Yoruba aesthetics: elegant elongation, composure, balanced proportions, and highly detailed coiffures and regalia. His carvings often depict deities (orisha), royal figures, mothers and children, drummers, and scenes from Yoruba mythology and court life.

Beyond his accomplishments as a sculptor, Fakeye played a vital role as an educator. He taught at several institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, helping to formalize the study of traditional carving within an academic framework. Through teaching, lectures, and international exhibitions, he became a cultural ambassador for Nigerian art, bridging the worlds of indigenous workshop practice and contemporary art discourse.

His works are held in major museums and collections worldwide, recognized for their technical mastery, spiritual resonance, and deep connection to Yoruba cosmology. In 1989, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian government in recognition of his contributions to art and culture.

Dejo Fakeye’s legacy endures not only in his sculptures but also in the generations of artists he trained. He remains a central figure in the history of modern Nigerian art and the continuing vitality of Yoruba woodcarving traditions.

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The Yoruba, the largest ethnic group in Nigeria and one of the most substantial in Africa, possess a profound historical and cultural legacy that dates back centuries. Despite enduring exploitation during the era of the Slave Trade, the Yoruba have preserved a rich tapestry of beliefs and rituals, prominently expressed through an extensive array of art forms. Yoruba art, spanning sculpture, mask-making, textiles, beadwork, and pottery, is revered for its aesthetic beauty and cultural significance. Notable examples include the Gelede mask, utilized in ceremonies to honor female spirits, and the Ifa divination tray, integral to divination practices. Yoruba textiles, particularly the indigo-dyed Adire cloth, showcase intricate designs and vibrant colors. 

This artistic tradition remains a vital component of Yoruba culture, celebrated globally. The oral history recounts a creation myth involving the descent of Oduduwa, the ancestor of all Yoruba, and the establishment of the Oyo Empire in the 15th century with Portuguese assistance. The 18th-century civil war and Fulani invasion prompted Yoruba migration southward, leading to the founding of Ibadan and Abeokuta. British colonization in 1901 retained elements of Yoruba governance through an indirect rule system established in collaboration with local leaders.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.

Height(in) 15.0
Width(in) 4.0
Depth(in) 5.5

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