**First Time At Auction**

Zacheus Olowonubi Oloruntoba (Nigerian, 1934-2014). Pen and ink on muslin laid on board, 1972. Signed and dated at lower left. A striking black and white ink drawing on muslin by Chief Zacheus Olowonubi Oloruntoba (also known as Z.K. Olorontoba), a Yoruban artist who was also a shaman, a clairvoyant, a healer, and an herbal medicine consultant. The composition presents abstract figural and totemic figures rendered in bold outlines and embellished with meticulously delineated geometric and organic motifs. Oloruntoba's art was linked to his healing practice and he spoke of his compositions as visual translations of his clairvoyant dreams. Oloruntoba's art was famously championed by the legendary American saxophonist Ornette Coleman who met Oloruntoba in Nigeria and invited him to the United States where he had several successful exhibitions. Size (sight view): 21.875" L x 27.75" W (55.6 cm x 70.5 cm) Size (frame): 22.4" L x 28.375" W (56.9 cm x 72.1 cm)

About the artist: Zacheus O. Oloruntoba (also known as Z.K.) was a Yoruba chief as well as an heir to the throne of Ogidi, Nigeria, a shaman, a clairvoyant, and an herbal medicine consultant at Georgetown University. Oloruntoba began creating art as an adolescent as a means of recording the clairvoyant dreams he had been experiencing since late childhood. His artwork was inextricably linked to his work as a healer.

Z.K. Oloruntoba apprenticed to the leading Osogbo artist Twins Seven Seven (1944-2011) and in time developed his own style working from his Ibadan studio. His artistic career took on a new trajectory when the legendary American saxophonist Ornette Coleman met Oloruntoba in Nigeria, purchased some of his work, and invited him to the United States where he had several successful exhibitions in the 1970s. Oloruntoba also designed album covers and artworks for Coleman's label. According to a 1972 article in "The Atlantic": "A corner is hung with the spirit images of Z. K. Oloruntoba, a Nigerian who paints ghosts and gods into rich, stylized color canvases full of disembodied eyes and mysterious protoplasmic movement. Z.K. is hanging his first New York show downstairs, in the storefront where Ornette often rehearses." (Robert Palmer "Ornette Coleman and the Circle with a Hole in the Middle" "The Atlantic" December, 1972).

Oloruntoba's work has been exhibited by the Museum of Modern Art, The Commonwealth Institute, London, The World Bank, Washington D.C. and is in the private collections of Queen Elizabeth II, David Rockefeller, Mohammed Ali, Ornette Coleman, among others.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

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#177869

Signed and dated at lower left. Artwork is mounted behind glass in a custom silver tone frame. Artwork has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be very nice save slight toning and very slight waviness to the paper. Frame has a few scuffs and minute areas of old label residue at lower right of glass. Fit with suspension wire for display. Couturier Gallery stamps on verso.