Renowned sculptor and former Dean of Arts, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Alagba Samuel Bodunde Faturoti, has passed on.
The great educationist, who celebrated his 90th birthday last year, died after a brief illness at Orin Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He attended the Wesley College and later Ahmadu Bellò University, where he studied Fine Arts, graduating in 1964.
For many years, he was a teacher at Wesley College, Ibadan and former Vice Principal and Principal of LATTC, Ibadan, from where he joined the services of University of Ife, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, where he rose to be Head of Department of Fine and Applied Arts and later Dean of Arts Faculty of the Institution.
A bronze caster, his last research before retiring was the cire perdue (the lost wax technique of bronze casting reputed to have been used for most of Benin Bronze).
Also a poet, his Yoruba poetry won the first prize at the Yoruba narrative poetry competition in 1966.
He is author of Ajidewe, a Yoruba poetry book and many other publications.
Faturoti upon his retirement in 1991 to his home town Orin Ekiti continued to practice as a sculptor and bronze caster, producing great artworks and bust of personalities such as late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, installed at Fajuyi Park in Ado Ekiti; bust of Prof. Adegoke Olubumo, Nigeria’s first Mathematics Professor; and Prof. Cyril Onwumechili, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ife.
He set up Faturoti Art Studio in Orin, from where he continued to host art exhibitions and train young and budding sculptors.
Some of his popular carved wood works include Obitun, Ere Oloba of Ado Ekiti and Ajagbo dancers.
His notable publications include Esie stone figures 1963 and Ekiti Carved doors 1964.
A humane community leader and strict disciplinarian, Faturoti was noted for his honesty and integrity.
His record keeping capacity and knowledge of history were also legendary.
A staunch leader of Methodist Church, Faturoti is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
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