Toiles and tapestries of Chief Z.O. Oloruntoba

The Spirited Canvas IV

HURLEYVILLE, NY — The Catskill Art Society will open an exhibition on Saturday, July 10 featuring the extraordinary tapestries and toiles of international artist and shaman, Chief Zacheus O. Oloruntoba of Nigeria.

Oloruntoba’s work, now in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Queen Elizabeth II, David Rockefeller and Mohammed Ali, has been reproduced many times as UNICEF greeting cards.

An opening reception will be held July 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Sullivan County Museum, 265 Main Street. The evening will include African dancing and drumming, a question-and-answer session with the chief and a display of his artwork at the Beck Gallery.

Oloruntoba’s artistic work grows out of the rich soil of his healing practices and life-long contact with spirits and ancestors. The art represents “the power of healing, the sources of life, the enhancement of all positive life forces and the protection against the negative,” he said. Each work contains a healing spirit who has arrived from beyond to grapple with a specific problem or concern.

The chief uses natural materials, often harvesting vegetable dyes and materials from trees and from the Nigerian plants he grows. The herbs and colors used are chosen with an eye for their curative properties. Both his toiles and tapestries are vibrant with color and visually rhythmic.

For more information call 845/436-4227 or email catskillartsociety@hvc.rr.com. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.