Woodcarver to display work
Visit part of 30th anniversary fete of African American Studies

By PATRICIA DONOVAN
News Services Editor

The Department of African American Studies will continue its 30th anniversary celebration this month with a campus visit and exhibit by the eminent Yoruban artist Lamidi O. Fakeye, widely acknowledged as the finest traditional woodcarver in Nigeria.

Fakeye (Fah-kee-AY) comes from five generations of Nigerian Yoruban woodcarvers. While his complex, highly detailed work is rooted in the traditional Yoruba system of apprenticeship, it also is informed by his studies in the conventional European canon.

His work is on display in the UB Art Gallery through Nov. 18.

Speakers of Yoruba are called Yorubans and constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. While there are local differences in dialect and custom, the Yoruba share a common language and culture and traditionally have been among the most skilled and productive craftsmen in Africa.

Akinwumi Isola, a professor at Nigeria's Ibadan University said: "Because he has weathered the most turbulent storms of two worlds of education...Fakeye has elevated Yoruban traditional sculpture to a level of excellence appreciated and sought after all over the world."

In a 1996 article in The Detroit News, Fakeye reported that early in life, he had tried his hand at many jobs-repairing bicycles, cutting hair, boxing-but then he became ill as a teenager and was told by a diviner that in order to get well, he must fulfill his destiny and return to his family's traditional profession.

"God has planned my life," said Fakeye, now 71. "Carving is an inspiration for me. What has come from it are the blessings of God."

Fakeye, who has made many visits to the United States over the past 35 years, has lived in Michigan but this is his first trip to Buffalo. While at UB, he will demonstrate wood carving, attend a reception for an exhibit of his work and deliver a lecture. All events are free of charge and open to the public, unless otherwise indicated.

A fellow at Nigeria's Obafemi Awolowo University, Fakeye has taught and exhibited extensively both in Nigeria and abroad. His work appears in the collections of such American institutions as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and Northwestern University.

The Smithsonian Institution will present an exhibition of his work in December.

The Fakeye visit and program was developed and coordinated by Department of Media Study graduate student Christine Black. It is sponsored by numerous departments in the College of Arts and Sciences: African American Studies, Anthropology, Art, Art History, Comparative Literature, Media Study, Modern Languages and Literatures, Psychology, History, and the UB Art Gallery.

It also is supported by the Graduate Student Association, Anthropology Student Association, the Anthropology Graduate Student Association, the Black Student Union, the Comparative Literature Department Graduate Student Association, the Media Study Graduate Association, Lockwood Library, Sub-Board I, Inc., and the Langston Hughes Institute.

The project received funding from Professors Gerard Burcher, Jack Meacham, Philips Stevens, Henry Sussman and the following endowed chairs: Robert Creeley (Capen Chair, Poetry and the Humanities), Leslie Fiedler (Clemens Chair, English), Dennis Tedlock (McNulty Chair, English) and Bruce Jackson (Capen Chair, Humanities).

For more information on Fakeye's visit to UB, see http://wings.buffalo.edu/cas/students/aa.html.

Schedule of Events in conjunction with Lamidi O. Fakeye exhibit "Fakeye," an exhibition of work by Nigerian carver Lamidi O. Fakeye, Second Floor, UB Art Gallery, Center for the Arts, North Campus, on display through Nov. 18 Nov. 6 - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Academic Conference, "African Art, Religion and Rituals," 120 Clemens Hall, North Campus Nov. 16 - 9-10 a.m. Private breakfast reception for the artist with invited community leaders and UB administrators, faculty and staff. - 3-5 p.m. Public demonstration and workshop by Lamidi O. Fakeye, Sculpture area, Basement, Center for the Arts Nov. 17 - 10 a.m. to Noon Informal carving demonstrations by Fakeye, UB Art Gallery, Center for the Arts - 2-4 p.m. Informal carving demonstrations by Lamidi O. Fakeye, UB Art Gallery, Center for the Arts - 7-9 p.m. Talk by Fakeye on his retrospective autobiography, followed by a reception, and book signing, Poetry/Rare Books Room, 420 Capen Hall, North Campus Nov. 18 - 1-4 p.m. Seminar for students visiting from other area colleges and community members, UB Art Gallery and Screening Room (Room 112), Center for the Arts Pre-registration required. For information, contact Michael Hill, Langston Hughes Institute, 881-3266. - 5-7 p.m. Public reception for the artist, UB Art Gallery Nov. 19 - Morning Lecture and demonstration for Buffalo high-school students, Langston Hughes Institute, 25 High St. For additional information, call Michael Hill, Langston Hughes Institute, 881-3266. - 7-9 p.m. Community Event: Slide Lecture and Demonstration, "The Changing Role of the Artist in Nigeria Today," followed by a reception featuring African dance and drumming, Langston Hughes Institute. For information, call Michael Hill, Langston Hughes Institute, 881-3266