The Salutation
In 1988 he would become acquainted with Professor Ben Enwonwu (MBE), widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest and most prolific artists of the twentieth century. Their relationship developed into a strong friendship and on his visits to England, Ben Enwonwu spent weekends at the Odimayo family’s country mansion, ‘The Salutation’ in Kent. Over this period Omo-Oba Olade Odimayo began acquiring a number of the artist’s masterpieces, such as ‘Africanity’, ‘Snake Dance’, ‘Black and Proud’, ‘Africa Dances’. The first three aforementioned works featured in ‘A Celebration of Excellence, Ben Enwonwu (1912 – 1994), A Retrospective Exhibition of an International Artist’, 12th – 30th July 2004, which was formally opened in London by HRH Princess Alexandra and hosted by the Commonwealth Club of the Royal Commonwealth Society.In the 1990’s, with his expanding interest in contemporary African art, Omo-Oba Oladele Odimayo further broadened his appreciation of the region’s artistic heritage with the steady acquisition of traditional Nigerian art. Over this period he amassed a considerable number of valuable Nok terracottas, Ife and Benin ivory and metal art works. He acquired more works of art during this period than in any other period of collecting and which has given rise to what is today widely regarded as the largest collection of fine traditional Nigerian art in private hands.
In the 1990’s, with his expanding interest in contemporary African art, Omo-Oba Oladele Odimayo further broadened his appreciation of the region’s artistic heritage with the steady acquisition of traditional Nigerian art. Over this period he amassed a considerable number of valuable Nok terracottas, Ife and Benin ivory and metal art works. He acquired more works of art during this period than in any other period of collecting and which has given rise to what is today widely regarded as the largest collection of fine traditional Nigerian art in private hands.