In 2006 I travelled on a trans Africa tour and in May we found ourselves spending a few days is the suprising artist community of Oshogba. Here in the small Nigerian city were art galleries and workshops of extraordinary variety. Artists come to Oshogba because of the Osun-Osobgo Sacred Grove and the inspring art of Suzanne Wegner.

A group of us hired a guide who walked us through wood and field and finally to a lane on which the entrance to the shrine opened. It was weekend and from the loneliness of the the walk we entered into crowds of vistors to the Scared Grove. As the only caucasian people around we attracted a crowd of the very friendly Nigerian people who were curious to know of our visit and extremely proud to show us this site.

Of course the highlight of this visit, besides the warmth of the locals, was the art of Ms. Wegner. Extraordinary and unearthly, the sheer size of her sculptures along with the number of them (obviously the work of a lifetime)made one feel the magical qualites of this river and grove, something which the local people firmly believe.

After a visit to the shrine our guide took us into town and showed us Ms. Wegners house. Covered in more schulpture of a house size scale, it was exactly as you'd expect of the artist who created the works in the Osun Shrine--remarkable. As we gazed at the works of her home our guide skipped to the door and asked for entry for us. We never expected to have the pleasure to meet her but even at the age of 92 she admitted us to her home. More amazing was how gracious, how sharp minded and how full of thoughtful conversation she was at that age. Clearly the spirit that moved Ms. Wegner to create the art at the Shrine still fueled her mind and imagination. We were honored and overwhelmed.

I encourage everyone to visit this world heritage site. You will be impressed by the Nigerian people, the Shrine and the art of Ms. Wegner.