Prince Twins Seven-Seven: His Art, His Life in Nigeria, His Exile in America (African Expressive Cultures)
"What happens when one of Nigeria’s most powerful artists, Twins Seven-Seven, meets America’s most distinguished folklorist, Henry Glassie? You get an all-time masterpiece of cultural portraiture. Twins Seven-Seven reveals and recounts his life and his art and Glassie transmutes all this into analytic gold. There were times when I did not know whether to cry (over Twins’ career difficulties and the shock of Glassie being hospitalized in mid-book) or to shout (in celebration of the argument and its limitless beauty) but I can tell you this: I felt exalted at the end." —Robert Farris Thompson, Author of African Art in Motion"Prince Twins Seven-Seven is a propulsive artist in many media, and this Miltonic book about him gives us an intricate and fascinating study of a Yoruba Big Man as he puts his life together and replays it in story. The wonder of it all is that he explained it to his friend Henry Glassie, and Glassie explains it then for us. There is no better description in the ethnographic literature of political and personal ascendancy. Glassie takes great chances, just as Prince does, giving us the mythic and legendary details we need to relate this man to art and artists throughout the world." —Roger D. Abrahams, Author of A Singer and Her Songs, African Folktales, and Singing the Master"Henry Glassie has crafted a masterful account of the contradictions, complexities, and creativity that have characterized the turbulent life of a troubled and troublesome child—a child, according to his Yoruba family lore, 'born-to-die.' But true to his stubborn nature, he—Twins Seven-Seven—refused to depart and, with the aid of the 'goddess of sweet water,' Osun, stayed to stir things up with his remarkable artistry. With deep and sincere dedication and exquisite sensitivity, Henry Glassie helps us to know and understand this complicated man, his life, creative process, his passions and fears, his exile and return, and ultimately his 're-birth' as a royal prince and global artist. Just as Twins creates inert material objects that vibrate with life, so too Glassie offers us stunning insights into an artist’s rich imaginings." —Henry John Drewal, Author of Yoruba, Sacred Waters, and Mami Wata"Glassie has given us yet another finely wrought work of art about artists and their works." —Philip M. Peek, co-editor of African Folklore: An Encyclopedia"This book is essential reading for students of culture and personality in folklore and anthropology and oral history and autobiography." —Journal of American FolkloreA product of extensive research presented in elegant sentences, beautifully illustrated, and professionally printed, this book gives ethnography a good name, confers respect on a fine scholar, and turns Prince Seven-Seven into a larger-than-life figure. Folklore scholar Glassie (emer., Indiana Univ.) captures this eccentric genius in his multiple locations and true colors. His book provides a careful analysis of the paintings of this successful artist, who grew from a humble beginning to international stardom. Glassie divides the paintings into three categories: art about spirits and deities; natural animals; and human experiences, broadly defined. The stamp is Yoruba idioms, forests, gods, and goddesses. In spellbinding images, readers confront ghosts and animals combined in contradictory ways, juxtaposed with abstract ideas. The artist is spiritual, bringing the unknown and the mythical to the senses, but with complicated lenses of interpretation. His world is imagined, unknowable, presented to us in forms to deal with our own strengths and weaknesses as humans. The jungle comes in all its mysteries, with power and powerlessness directly speaking to the viewer. Playful and serious at the same time, Prince provides personal stories that expose him in his real and naked form. Summing Up: Recommended. General, public, and academic collections. -- ChoiceT. Falola, University of Texas, October 2010"A compelling study of a contemporary African artist, this volume is wonderfully insightful and immensely readable." —Doran H. Ross, author of Wrapped in Pride"For Twins Seven-Seven afficionados or even general art lovers looking to broaden their horizons, this lush volume, chock full with stunning images, has the power to entrance." —Historywire.com"A product of extensive research presented in elegant sentences, beautifully illustrated, and professionally printed, this book gives ethnography a good name, confers respect on a fine scholar, and turns Prince Seven-Seven into a larger-than-life figure." —Choice