TWINS SEVEN-SEVEN

Born in Nigeria in 1944, Prince Twins Seven-Seven’s career began in the early 1960s. He has since become the most famous representative of the renowned Oshogbo school of painting, which is at the heart of Yoruba civilization. His work reflects the cosmology and mythology of the Yoruba culture.
Though is given name is Taiwo Olaiyi Salau, Twins Seven-Seven has chosen this pseudonym as a reference to his birth: he is the sole survivor of a line of seven sets of twins.
A multidimensional artist, Prince Twins Seven-Seven is also recognized as a singer, musician, actor, writer and poet. His work has been shown in numerous exhibitions throughout the world, notably at France’s National Museum of Modern Art – Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Houston Contemporary Arts Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. and the National Modern Art Gallery in Lagos.
His encounter with the graphic arts and painting came about in 1964 when he met a group of artists known as the Mbare Mbayo Group. This is where the Oshobgo School had it's origins.Twins Seven-Seven began by drawing on paper. Drawing and engraving have remained a constant and central reference in his work. The originality of his line comes from the fact that it appears to unfold blindly, with no plan, through a progressive invasion of the entire surface. This technique gives his paintings their extraordinary detail.
With the exception of a few paintings which represent "profane" themes, the universe of Twins Seven-Seven is thoroughly rooted in the Yoruba imagery, both religious and folkloric.
Twins Seven-Seven was named UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2005,in the presence of Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria and Chairman of the African Union. The ceremony took place on Africa Day. This was the “recognition of his contribution to the promotion of dialogue and understanding among peoples, particularly in Africa and the African Diaspora.”
UNESCO Artists for Peace are internationally-renowned personalities who use their influence, charisma and prestige to help promote UNESCO’s message and programmes

 
Shape in the Clouds
Twins Seven-Seven (1945 -), Oshogbo, Nigeria c. 1990
Oil on Paper (19 1/4" h x 13 3/4"w)

 
 Three Wise Ocean Gods: Air, Sea, Nature Controller
Twins Seven-Seven (1945 -), Oshogbo, Nigeria 1990
Ink on plywood with plywood collage (48" h x 96 1/2"w)

   

Twins Seven-Seven, The Green Cat Man and the Flying Snakes
Ink and acrylic on paper (17" h x 14"w)

  Golden Fishes in the Dark Sea

Twins Seven-Seven (1944 -), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2006 

Four-color poster print, published by Living the Good News, signed by artist (20" h x 16"w)

 
  
Baby Naming Ceremony
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria
Digital pigment print of 1990 original painting.
(Epson 9800 Ultrachrome K3 Pigment Print on "English 14" Cold Press Art Paper) (14 3/4" h x 15 1/4"w)

 

Blessed Fisherman Family and Golden Fish
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2006
Oil, acrylic and pastel on canvas (27 1/2" h x 26"w)

 
idnight Drawing in My Mind #2
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Ink & acrylic w/ collage on paper
(17" h x 11"w)

 

   Mamy and Child - Village Life
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Oil, acrylic, ink and pastel on plywood
(23 3/4" h x 12"w)

    Priest and Priestess in Festivity Mood of Ibeji Ceremony
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Acrylic, ink on fabric (40" h x 39 1/4"w)

  
 
  The Singing Birds in Egg Count
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Oil, acrylic, ink and pastel on plywood (24" h x 24"w)

 

 
Dream of Fish Collector
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Acrylic, ink on fabric
(34" h x 13"w)

  

 
  
Village Farmer Woman Leader
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Acrylic, ink on fabric (33" h x 13"w)

 
  The Percussion Ghost of Music
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Oil, acrylic, ink and pastel on plywood (24" h x 12 1/4"w)

  
 
 
 
The Dream of the Oldest Collector
Twins Seven-Seven (1944 -), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2006
Ink, acrylic and colored pencil on paper (17" h x 13"w)

 
  
 The Blessed Family
Twins Seven-Seven (1944 -), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2006
Ink, acrylic and colored pencil on paper (17" h x 13"w)

 
 
  
 
Creative Shapes in Obatala's Diary II
Twins Seven-Seven (1944 -), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2006
Ink, acrylic and colored pencil on paper (14" h x 15 1/2"w)

 
 
 
The Golden Mother
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Oil, acrylic, ink and pastel on plywood (24" h x 12 1/4"w)

 

 
Acrobatic Dancers
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2007
Oil, acrylic, ink and pastel on plywood (24" h x 12 1/4"w)

 
 
 
 Ocean Blessed Family
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2009
Acrylic, ink on canvas (31" h. x 15 3/4"w.)

 
 
 
Mother of Fraternity
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2010
Acrylic, ink on canvas (31" h. x 15 3/4"w.)

 
 
Great Hunter, Founder of Oshogbo
Twins Seven-Seven (1944-), Oshogbo, Nigeria 2011
Oil, acrylic, ink and pastel on plywood (47" h, x 27"w.)

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