Icon | Twins Seven Seven

Twins Seven-Seven (1944-2011) was born Taiwo Olaniyi Oyewale-Toyeje Oyelale Osuntoki in Ijara, Nigeria, and he is remembered as a prolific artist, bandleader, dancer, actor, and proud spokesperson for Yoruba culture and traditions. Renaming himself "Ibeji Meje-Meje (Twins Seven-Seven)" intentionally reflected his Yoruba cultural identity and heritage.

In his lifetime, Seven-Seven widely retold his coming into this world seven times as an abiku child, each time as one of a set of twins, only to die and return to the spirits who sent him. On his final return, his seventh, he remained and held the unwavering belief that the reason this happened was to achieve a predestined path of becoming an artist of international acclaim (footnote). This narrative of spiritual and mythological triumph against all odds and a profound sense of pride in Yoruba identity and beliefs infused every aspect of Seven-Seven's oeuvre.

His introduction to the visual arts happened by chance due to gate-crashing and performing at a party in Osogbo organized by Ulli Beier and Georgina Beier in 1964. This encounter led to an invitation to attend a Mbari Mbayo workshop conducted by the Beiers. Working across varied mediums, including painting, drawing, batiks and sculpture over four decades, from the 1970s until he died in 2011, Seven-Seven developed both a unique and expressive individual style drawing on motifs and styles rooted in traditional Yoruba art and culture, as well as religion, folklore and the artist's dreams. The Beiers' support and mentorship played a crucial role in shaping Seven-Seven's artistic journey and promoting his work on the international stage.

Seven-Seven's life and work boldly celebrated Yoruba culture, instilling a deep connection and pride in those who shared his heritage. His art is a powerful testament to the richness and beauty of Yoruba culture, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation in the audience.

Text by Dr Jareh Das is an independent curator, scholar and (occasional) florist who works between West Africa and the UK.

Twins Seven Seven’s subject matter was Yoruba myths, many of which he reenacted from childhood memories of recitations to him by his mother and grandmother, others he absorbed in adulthood through the novels of Amos Tutuola and Daniel O. Fagunwa.

In a consciously naïve yet highly detailed and expressive style, he depicted village scenes, animals, and deities.He filled in outlines and borders with jewel-coloured patterns based on traditional textiles.

Highly detailed forms crammed into the frame are a signatory style of Seven-Seven's works on paper and paintings, alluding to a feeling of aliveness ready to break free from the frame or surface.

Twins works can be found in a host of important institutional collections in the world including the Smithsonian NMAFA, Studio Museum Harlem and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

In keeping with his personality, when depicting otherworldly beings like ghosts and gods, Seven-Sevens did not depict them as frightening but rather cheerful, whimsical, and optimistic.