Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has described the demise of one of the world renowned artists and UNESCO Ambassador for the Arts, Mr Taiwo Olaniyi Oyewale-Toyeje Oyelade, also known as Twins
Seven Seven, as a great loss to the world. Taiwo Olaniyi died last Thursday at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, at the age of 67.
According to the governor, Twins Seven Seven was a leading light among the crop of great artists that Osun State has produced.
Speaking through the Director of the Bureau of Communication in the state, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola noted that Twin Seven Seven was a consummate artist who won honour for himself, Nigeria and Africa in general.
“We will surely miss him,” he said. “But we are consoled that he left behind a legacy that will always inspire others to excel.”
Also reacting to the death, CEO of Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Nike Okundaye-Davies said Twin Seven Seven was a painter, musician, actor dancer and writer. According to her, “his death is a great shock to Nigeria and the entire the art community. He was one of African heroes and the best artist in Africa.”
On his part, master printmaker, Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya described it as a shock to all. “I never knew he was ill, his death is a very big loss to all of us because he was the king of us all. His legacy is going to last forever.”
Born in 1944, Twins Seven-Seven’s career began in the early 1960s, with his works that embraced the cosmology and mythology of the Yoruba culture.
As a painter, he exhibited in different parts of the world and was named the UNESCO Artist of Peace in 2005, in recognition of his contribution to promotion of dialogue across races and cultures.-Vanguard
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