Tijani Mayakiri was an Oshogbo School artist who came to the visual arts through theatre. In 1962 he joined Duro Ladipo's troupe and acted in productions such as Eda and Oba Koso. He also attended the 1964 Oshogbo workshop. In 1966 he left Ladipo to start his own troupe. After a 1967 workshop led by Susanne Wenger he began painting more seriously. His early monoprints show dark forms picked out with fine white lines, and his main subject was the ritual and philosophy of Yoruba religion, especially Ifa. In 1968 he moved to Ife and was a founding member of the Ogun Timehin workshop, together with other Oshogbo artists. He also performed with the Ori Olokun Players at the University of Ife. Mbari Mbayo published his book Ifa, and he exhibited abroad. He made prints and ink works on paper, and also batik on cotton. Around 1976 he developed an unusual reverse method: he drew the sketch on the back of the canvas and painted the finished image on the front. His son, Taju Tijani Mayakiri, has carried on this 'drawing from the back' technique since his father died in 1992. The son's works now sell through online platforms such as Artsper and 1stDibs.
School or movement: Oshogbo School (Mbari Mbayo); Ogun Timehin workshop, Ife.
Influenced by Susanne Wenger, Duro Ladipo theatre, Ulli and Georgina Beier workshops, Ifa and Yoruba ritual.
Influenced Taju Tijani Mayakiri (his son, who continues the technique).
