(Gail Williams)

Priest of Shango

I am a visual artist, teacher and writer. I began studying ancestor reverence with Chief Iyanifa Fajembola (Luisah Teish) in 1993. In her class I learned more about my ancestors than I had during my entire life! I became an Ile member in 1998, was initiated as a Priest of Sango in 2007. The journey of my spiritual development continues to be amazing and beautiful. Sometimes it is challenging, it has always been inspiring. I am very grateful for the healing and learning I have received in Orisha tradition, and for the privilege of being included in Ile Orunmila Osun as a Priest of Sango.

In my world all forms of creative practice draw from source and mystery; and creative production is integrative and healing. Ritual, devotion, aesthetics and the desire to create beauty are for bringing goodness to the world. My life and my work are informed by personal, political and spiritual experience; dreams; intuition; divination; and the guidance of Elders and Teachers. I make what my Orisa, the Ancestors, myself and my community need and desire—my art works are intended as gifts and offerings in service to the sacred.

Eight years of graduate school taught me academic writing; my contribution to Festival of the Bones II, What is Remembered Lives (2010) challenged me to learn writing story—I’m still learning. This work is entitled Turning to Face the Ancestors, A learning journey recovering heart and memory. My MA thesis, Making Art for the Spirit: The Intersections of Feminist, Sacred and Creative Practice (2001), is a presentation of research, artwork and autobiographical narrative.

Contact Iya Sangogbemi

Artwork for Sale

San Francisco Studio, by appointment:  415.648.1637
gailwilliamsart.com – website under construction

Making Art for the Spirit

Sacred art making classes and workshops. Painting, drawing and mixed media projects including altars, flags, rattles, candles, shields, staffs, fabric, beads, pottery.

Sacred Containers of Clay Woman

Classes and workshops to learn how to make clay vessels, tiles or sculpture using hand forming and coiling methods. Use of stains, slip-painting, carving, burnishing and pit-firing for surface decoration; or low-fire glazes.

Being White in Orisha Community-Guidelines

In Orisha spirituality our prayer is that each person’s best spiritual development and destiny for this lifetime be fully realized. This work provides an opportunity to gain understanding of how to participate in Orisha tradition, respectfully and honestly, and not allow unconscious or unexamined white privilege offend community Elders and practitioners, or block your way. My focus is on developing positive relationship to who you are as a white person, your own ancestors and heritage; gaining understanding about what community means in the context of Orisha spirituality; and providing guidelines for positive and respectful participation in this tradition.

Art and Exhibit Production Consulting

Consultation and production assistance for artists, and non-artists to realize their creative projects. Artworks, altars, installations and exhibitions. Sliding-scale rates.