“The Sacred Art movement is a documentary film that sheds light on the lives and remarkable collaborative efforts of artists and artisans who dedicated their lives to the preservation of the Osun Oshogbo forest and cultural heritage under the supervision of Susan Wenger, an Austrian born sculptor now recognized as the pioneer of the “New Sacred Art Movement” in Oshogbo, western Nigeria.

Several important themes are raised through this film including human values and ethics, environmental protection and social responsibility, the role of Susanne Wenger, an outsider, and the complex issues relating the coexistence of Art and traditional Yoruba practices in the deeply Christian and Islamic context of Nigeria.” Olusola Otori

The documentary was filmed over a period of 8 years by Olusola Otori, Nigerian film maker as he explored the intersection of spiritualism and art.

He visited Osun Oshogbo grove regularly documenting spiritual spaces, sacred shrines of deities and effigies of the goddess Osun.

Capturing over time, rare footage of the most important of the original artists of the New Sacred Art Movement including Adebisi Akanji and Sangodare Ajala. (both died recently)

These two important artists trained the next generation of artists and artisans who continue restoring the art in the traditional way and in accordance with the significance and spirituality of the essence of the Shrines and sculptures.
The thoughts of this legacy generation are beautifully communicated in this film.