THE OMOOBA YEMISI ADEDOYIN SHYLLON ART FOUNDATION (OYASAF)

The OMOOBA YEMISI ADEDOYIN SHYLLON ART FOUNDATION (OYASAF), Nigeria’s largest and first privately funded, public museum. It was established in 2008, to promote the cultural life and heritage of Nigeria, for people to enjoy and have a peep into the heritage and history of Nigeria, and for the benefit of the present and future generations of humanity. On this wise, OYASAF has developed a holding of over 55,000 photographic shots of Nigeria’s cultural festivals. The foundation is, therefore, building a collection of important photos that would be useful to future generations of Nigerians.

 Some art works in Omooba Yemisi's Art Garden

In 2009, the Foundation published a book on its holdings of Yoruba art titled: "Yoruba Traditional Art: The Collection of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF)", co-authored by Ohioma Ifounu Pogoson. The coffee table book was written in honour of the late carver, Lamidi Fakeye. According to Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, during the book presentation, the publishing of the book was one of three promises he made to the Fakeye before the carver  died. "I promised Lamidi Fakeye when he was alive that I will promote him in Lagos by exhibiting his work, be the largest collector of his work and publish a book on him. I have fulfilled all the three promises”, Shyllon said. 

 Prince Yemisi Shyllon at the OYASAF Book Launch in 2009

OYASAF in 2013 started a publishing exercise based on conversations with some major artists in its collection. Conversations with Lamidi Fakeye is the first in his ‘conversation series’. It includes 48 images of Fakeye’s wood carvings in the Foundation’s collection, reproduced in full-color in the book. The book is coauthored by Prince (Engr.) Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon and Dr Ohioma Ifounu Pogoson. 

The chartered engineer, marketer, stock-broker and legal practitioner, who is now retired said he promised himself a few years ago that he was going to promote the Nigerian art and culture on retirement. For him, it is one way of keeping himself busy as well as enjoying life.

Even his kitchen is a statement of art, as clay pots laid on his cooking gas. To him, “Every society has its own identity. Civilization has come to modify but it should not replace our culture. This is my own culture, this is how my forefathers cooked their food.” he said, pointing at the pots.

Lecture series, workshops, research programmes and art competitions are part of the activities which are organized by the foundation. Among the plans on OYASAF’s list is to build a privately-funded museum in Nigeria, which is currently ongoing at the Pan African University at Lekki, Lagos. “We have artworks spread over the history of Nigerian art, which will be in this museum.” The research programmes are all-expense paid.

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References

Meet Yemisi Shyllon, Nigerian with largest art collection - http://thenationonlineng.net/meet-yemisi-shyllon-nigerian-with-largest-art-collection/

Double for OYASAF: a book on master carver, Fakeye, 18 sculptural pieces donation to Freedom Park - http://nigerianartatoyasaf.blogspot.com.ng/2013/04/double-for-oyasaf-book-on-master-carver.html