Nigerian artists and the government of Osun State are mourning the late German art scholar, Prof. Ulli Beier, who died on Sunday in his home in Annandale, Sydney, Australia after a protracted illness.
He was 90.
A statement by Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, office of the governor said:“Bier’s death has dug a hole in the history of mankind that will take some hard time to fill.
“We appreciate his decision to utilize his ability to shape the course and engender the preservation of man’s progress through the theatre of life.
“For more than 40 years, his contact with Africa, the Nok Culture and Yoruba civilization became a hugely engaging revelation that shamed pessimists and further strengthened the capacity of the Black man to secure a place of his in the history of mankind.
“Along with Susane Wenger, Bier, who was better known as a Black man in white skin, assisted the anthropological evolution, historical relevance, artistic creativity and emergence of first class artists of different genre in Africa.
“It was through his efforts that artistic titans like Duro Ladipo (Sango), Jimoh Buraimoh and others were unleashed on the world to showcase the potential of people that were not recognized as part of history. He encouraged the production of Oba Koso, a world class drama that confirmed the sophistication of African people before the advent of colonialists.
“At the formation of the Centre for Black Culture and Civilization and the recognition of Osun Osogbo by UNESCO, Ulli Bier played the role of a giant and a honourable man. These and other roles mark
“Like all mortals, Ulli Bier, a cultural titan, has gone to the land of the spirits but his giant footprints remain indelible and matchless in the character of great minds that shaped the course of mankind.
“His documentation of events that happened at a critical time of our people’s resistance against domination, oppression and colonialism are awesome enough to make him live in our memory. May his tribe continue to come into our land for the good of man and the benefit of mankind.
Founder of Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya described Beier’s death as a big loss to Nigerian, African and world art, saying “one would have thought he would live longer.”
He however, said we should give thanks to God for his life as he impacted on many Nigerian artists’ life.
“I fashioned my workshop direction after what he did. He and his wife, Susan Wenger, have helped in no small way to open more heritage sites in the country to the world. He left big legacies and hope they will last forever,” he added.
Leading art collector and founder of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) ,Prince Yemisi Shyllon described the death of the former director of Iwalewa Haus, Bayreuth University, Germany as end to an era. He said the late artist contributed to the greatness of Nigerian art and culture as he helped the careers of many Nigerian artists like Muraina Oyelami and Twins Seven Seven.
“Some of us are celebrating him in death,” Shyllon said.
Former president of Society of Nigerian Artist, Mr. Kolade Oshinowo said but for Beier there would not have been the likes of the great artists from the Osogbo school.
He recalled that Beire’s wish was to die in Nigeria.
Born in Germany in 1922, Beier came to Nigeria in 1950. Along with the famous Austrian artist, Susanne Wenger, he joined the Extra Mural Studies Department at the then University College Ibadan. Later he travelled to several Yoruba towns and villages organising classes for the willing participants. After living in Ede and Ilobu, Beier settled in Osogbo in 1958.
Known for his passion for Yoruba arts and culture, as a literary person, he helped publish books on Yoruba festivals and religion. Along with Gerald Moore, an Englishman, who taught extra-mural classes in Eastern Nigeria, Beier made his presence felt on the continent, translating and publishing modern African writingsfrom David Mendessa Diop to Leopold Sedar Senghor, and even some Yoruba poems. He also played a fundamental role in the conception and nurturing of the world famous Osogbo school of artists along with influential playwright and gifted composer Duro Ladipo.
The founding editor of Black Orpheus, Africa leading literary magazine, he co-founded the Mbari-Mbayo Artists and Writers Club together with the late Duro Ladipo of ‘Oba-Koso’ fame.
He was the Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ife before he left Nigeria for Papua, New Guinea.
His works now dominate the collections at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo.
In an interview, he recalled his life in Nigeria and many encounters with other famous writers and artists.
“My whole activity in Nigeria in the I960s was basically to help people get a better identity by pointing out what wonderful culture they have.
“When I moved out from the university campus, I was giving extra-mural classes in Oyo. On the way, I used to stop in a little town called Fiditi. ..Then, when the Mbari Club started, I started something called Mbari publications which subsequently published his first two volumes of poetry Heavensgate and Limits,” Beier said.
He became deeply immersed in Yoruba culture and worldview, earning himself names like Obotunde Ijimere, Sangodare Akanji and Omidiji Aragbabalu.
His close friends boldly refer to him as the German-born Yoruba man which he relishes with pride.
On the translations he did, he said: “In a sense, it was necessary for me to do the translations because when I started teaching African literature and extra-mural classes, there wasn’t that much African literature coming out of Nigeria.
