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March 1993
Narrow Path
Esè Ógbéjí
The pathways and trails in the woods and forests are usually narrow and are only wide enough for only one person at a time to tread conveniently without bumping into another wayfarer or walker who is coming from the opposite direction. It therefore becomes necessary that one person steps out of the path as in the case with the person indicated by the pair of white feet on the north side of the yellow path and facing the east, to allow the other person(s) as it is indicated by two pairs of brown large feet that are facing the west to have an easy passage and then return to the narrow path to continue his or her Journey behind the smaller brown pair of feet ahead of him or her going towards the east where you can see the white sun rising on the horizon. Though the act of stepping aside from the yellow path is a voluntary responsibility which a person has rendered as courtesy and respect, what truly determines who steps out of the path depends on status, age or who finds it more effortless for him or her to give the other person the right of way. This humble gesture allows peace and harmony in society.
Occupying the space on the right portion of the canvas just below the sun is a large eye symbolizing the significance of sight as the eye guides the traveler to safely walk through the path to his or her destination. The anatomy of the eye depicted includes sclera, pupil and iris, where iris is depicted by woven raffia in its natural warm, light beige color with golden and peach undertones.
Stretching from the upper left to the middle of the canvas is a large foot that has a swirl like spiral line indicating light radiating from the center of the foot and expanded throughout the foot surface and beyond. Thus the feet can tell where to thread without a person bending over and gazing on the pathway endlessly because the peripheral eye vision is sufficient. This painting is further embellished with the weaving of raffia in the lower left area of the canvas below the large foot.
On the materials
The employed art mediums of actual natural soil in their natural colors and hues and Raffia on Jute Burlap are durable, reliable, resilient and are of lightfast and colorfast qualities.