Context (CMS Context)
Exhibited in the Micro Gallery MAA from 13 March 2013 - 19 May 2014 as a means to raise awareness and funding for the acquisition of the G.I. Jones Collection. The exhibition label reads: 'A colonial administrator. Wood, kaolin pigment and string. Made by Thomas Ona Odulate. Yoruba. Ijebu Ode, Southeast Nigeria, 1930s. Thomas Ona Odulate carved satirical figures of colonial administrators and missionaries between1900-1950. Odulate said his characters do not represent individuals, but were observations of his daily life. He coloured his figures using imported red and black inks, white shoe polish along with local kaolin clays and his tools were the traditional adze and a knife made by local blacksmiths. Yoruba carvings are usually made from one piece of wood, but this figure has a separate pipe, hat, and glasses.'
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (CMS Context)
The oblong white label on the bottom of the object notes [in blue ballpoint]: 'Thomas Ona/ Odulate/of Ijebu-Ode'.
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (CMS Context)
Publications by G.I. Jones: Jones, G. I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria. Cambridge: University of Cambridge Press.
Jones, G. I., 1989. Ibo Art. Shire Ethnography. Shire Publications.
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (CMS Context)
Gwilyam Iwan 'G.I.' Jones (1904 - 1995) was a colonial officer in southern Nigeria from 1926 to 1946, before becoming Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Cambridge and a Fellow of Jesus College. He undertook further periods of fieldwork and published major books on southern Nigeria that are still highly regarded for their sensitivity to historical complexity.
For more than twenty years, MAA has cared for Jones’ exceptionally rich photographic archive, which documents the great masquerade traditions and other aspects of the culture of the region. In February 2013 the Museum acquired part of Jones’ personal collection of artefacts, assembled over the decades he worked in Igboland, the Cross River and other regions. The group of masks, carvings and other works represent vital aspects of belief, history and art over the middle twentieth century.
The G.I. Jones collection of West African material was purchased on February 1 2014 from his widow Ursula Jones who generously allowed MAA to select from G.I’s personal collection in her home. Purchase funded partly through donations by Jesus College, John Goodliffe, Margaret Risbeth and the Wenbam Smith Family (as of June 3 2014).
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Wooden carving (A) of a European District Officer with separate glasses (C) and a pith helmet (B) at his desk with a pipe (D). 'D.O' carved on the front of the desk. White pigment on eyes, glasses, shirt and pith helmet.Condition: Good.
Event Date 4/6/2014
Author: maa

Loan (Exhibition)
Tate Britain, London, 17/11/2015 to 18/04/2016, Artist & Empire
Event Date 17/11/2015
Author: rachel hand