Edosa Ogiugo’s painting of Edo women dancers created over 20 years ago, has found new life as a monumental mural in Houston, Texas.
OVER two decades ago, artist EdosaOgiugo painted ‘Free Spirit,’ a vibrant portrayal of female Benin dancers in traditional Iyoba-style beaded costumes. At the time, he had no idea that the piece would take him to the United States years later.
The painting, executed in his signature modern impressionist style, has now been transformed into a grand mural, cementing its place in the cultural landscape of Houston.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis collected the 4×5-foot painting Ogiugo made in 2003. The artist heard nothing about it until a colleague, Bimbo Adenugba, brought him the good news: ‘Free Spirit’ had been selected for a 20×90-foot mural at Houston’s Harris County Community Centre, specifically in the Aquatic Centre, which features a vast hall and public swimming pool.
But the development wasn’t a happenstance. An organisation, Street Art Mankind, helmed by Thibault Decker (president/curator) and Audrey Decker (vice president/curator), selected his painting as part of the ‘Legacies of Change’ mural series. Street Art Mankind celebrates the power of cultural diversity through dance and deems ‘Free Spirit’ a perfect example.
The Yaba College of Technology trained artist, however, didn’t know all this until he arrived in Houston in January to execute the mural, which was unlike anything he had ever done in size.
He admitted in a chat while recounting his Houston experience: “I had never done a mural of such a huge size in my life. Before leaving Nigeria, I was told that Houston’s weather was like that of Lagos, so I was happy. However, upon arrival, there was a snowstorm that lasted two days. I couldn’t start the job as scheduled. However, Commissioner Ellis ensured I got a good protective jacket that made my work easier. I beat the deadline of 10 days by completing the work in seven days. I was told to proceed to another mural immediately. But because I was fatigued, I couldn’t start the second mural, so I returned to Nigeria. Hopefully, I will go back to doing it, but it was an experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. The mural and the original painting are slightly different because of the sizes. Getting to the site, it was massive. When I got on the lift, sometimes I worked eight straight hours. It was stressful fun for me.”
Houston’s diversity further boosted the selection of the artist’s ‘Free Spirit’. The city, where over 90 languages are spoken, is home to several ethnicities. The rainbow coalition is reflected in local festivals that highlight music, art, dance, and theatre, serving as a reminder that diverse perspectives and values enrich collective efforts and help address challenges more effectively.
This was in addition to the high number of Nigerians living in Houston. US census data states that between 2010 and 2021, the Nigerian population in the city grew from over 21,000 to nearly 64,000. Renowned for their hard work and fondness for the good things in life, including dance and music, the community has a vibrant Afrobeat scene. The mural was, therefore, a tribute of sorts to the free spirit of the Nigerian community—their dance, music, and joie de vivre in Nigeria and Houston.
As Ogiugo worked, residents of all ages and backgrounds visited the site to watch him paint. Their responses touched him deeply. “One of the children that came to see me painting said, ‘Thank you for bringing sunshine to our community’. There was an elderly woman who said, ‘Every time I come, I just feel lifted. All these suggested that we are all connected culturally and from the same source.”
Grateful for the opportunity, Ogiugo acknowledged the support of Street Art Mankind and Commissioner Ellis. He also reflected on the inspiration behind ‘Free Spirit.’
“When I visited Commissioner Ellis, he asked me what inspired the piece. I told him how growing up in Benin inspired the painting, particularly witnessing the Igue Festival in Benin. The ladies in the painting were taken from a royal Benin setting. Some ladies in the US were elated watching me do the painting. As an artist, my work is to document the culture of our people.”
He further attributed his selection to paint the mural to his originality. “Why me when there were other artists in the US? Every artist should be true to themselves. No matter how good someone’s style is to you, copying it may not be good for you. You need to be original. Yes, learning from others is good. Prof Yusuf Grillo advised us to discover ourselves in school, which influenced me. The Commissioner told me: “Edosa, you are incredibly talented; that’s why I brought you to the US”. The people in the US found the theme relevant, and the painting also aligns with the Legacies of Change project.”
For the artist whose subjects often centre around female dancers of Nigerian tribes, the mural in Houston is a vindication of his style and commitment. He commends the same commitment to his peers.
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