Hey, stop, what are we talking about: a dragon? A dragon only exists in fairy tales. I remember the fairytales of my childhood. But are dragons really only a mysterious speculation? At least I believed this until I was involved in the birth of a dragon. It seems to be a real and powerful dragon that grows up at Bryden Road in the back yard of Baba Chief Shongo Obadina’s Gallery. Dragons have a long history as legendary creatures of which some interpretation or depiction appears in almost every culture worldwide. There is a long story of dragons in ancient times and there is also a long story about how this dragon in Baba’s yard is being born and is growing up.
Let me first tell you something about dragons in general.
DRAGONS - Speculation and Mythology.
Of all the mythical creatures in humankind’s fertile imagination there is none comparable to the dragon. Throughout the world, dragons appear in the storytelling, folklore, literature, and architecture of numerous cultures. In their various manifestations they are both benevolent and the epitome of absolute evil.
Dragons evolved essentially from the ancient snake or serpent, though the latter in evolutionary terms is now far removed from the former. Serpents cannot breathe fire or fly, though most dragons do. Serpents are found in the sea, whereas dragons are usually found inland or flying over it, the exception to this rule being the Eastern/ Asian dragons that are equated with water.
Dragons are sometimes portrayed as having large yellow or red eyes, with a row of dorsal spines, keeled scales, or leathery bat-like wings. They are portrayed with variable number of legs: none, two, four, or even more. In general dragons are often believed to have major spiritual significance in various religions and cultures. Often they were revered as representative of the primal forces of nature, religion, and the universe. They are associated with wisdom and longevity.
Eastern/ Asian dragons are essentially benevolent and, in ancient beliefs, played a part in humankind’s creation. The Chinese dragon is perhaps the most kindly and helpful dragon of all. Spring in China is the season for ‘dragon processions’, held to welcome their return from a winter spent underground. Chinese, or ‘Lung’, dragons are seen as the ultimate symbol of good fortune by the Chinese, and are often depicted clutching a large pearl or egg, which is thought to represent universal constancy.
In the West, dragons are perceived to be the ultimate nightmare; the epitome of evil that has plagued humankind since the Dark Ages, the complete manifestation of all that is wicked, (though our fear of them is mingled with a respectful awe). With fiery breath, sharp claws, formidable teeth – not to mention the ability to repel man’s primitive weaponry – and the freedom afforded to them by flight, these magnificent creatures have always demanded our humble respect.
There are numerous speculations on the origin of dragons…, but that is a different story. Nowadays we find many examples of dragons in modern literature, especially the fantasy genre, as well in Feng Shui.
Now let us visit Chief Shongo Obadina and the dragon at the William H. Thomas Art Gallery.
Baba Shongo is a Chief, retired Plumber, community activist, resident and gallery owner on Bryden Road over 30 years and an artist himself. For decades he has been experimenting with design in wood, woodcarvings and wooden-copper installations. Just matter of fact as you visit Chief Shongo’s William H. Thomas Art Gallery itself, the whole gallery is a demonstration of his beautiful art work.
William H. Thomas Art Gallery at 1270 Bryden Road - Please check the examples of Baba's Art work on this website
And now let me tell you Baba's dragon story
One morning in the end of August 2008 Chief Shongo jumped out of his bed and said: I will create a dragon in my yard! Okay. Let us build a dragon.
Why? Who knows? Perhaps the dragon will protect and support the community? Perhaps Baba’s yard needs a new attraction? Perhaps Baba is thinking about his Tai Chi and his martial arts experiences where the dragon plays an important role? Perhaps Baba is only curious and exited to create something new?
The yard will be the best place!
In the course of the next few weeks the project will turn out as a real community project but let me start telling you about the development first. One of the first ideas is to build a dragon out of bricks and cover it with tiles like mosaic art (I love to do mosaic arts..). But no, Baba wants to have the skin of the dragon decorated with pebbles. Okay. We do research in the internet: how does a dragon look like? Wow. There are that many different kinds of dragon! Okay, let us create our own design. Baba will form the skeleton out of bricks… Our dragon should have a long tail, body, wings and four legs.
Omar, well-known sculptor, comes by and says: NO. "That looks like a snake with legs. The dragon should stand on his legs. Omar shows us this drawing... yes, he is right.
Baba needs to build a foundation for the sculpture. Mister Mason, an experienced professional of all kinds of constructions, gives advice. His ideas are very helpful. Should we continue?
Yes. We continue. It is good to get help to dig the wholes for the foundation. Deep wholes filled with cement will be a strong foundation to preserve the dragon “from flying away”.
Baba is patient and takes all advice. In the end he will decide how his dragon will look like but each person’s advice is helpful in the way of creating the dragon, to make him come alive…
For now we don't need the bricks no more... may be we will create something else out of them...
Sometimes I can help. I would have loved to do the dragon out of mosaic tiles or pebbles, but the best is to make the dragon out of wood!
Wooden flower pots become the body of the dragon…
Omar comes by and says: that is okay!
The dragon should have a long tail, four legs and wings.
Okay, but where is the best place for the tail and which direction should it have?
Baba is screwing, hammering, sawing.. and thinking about solutions
Each day visitors are coming and observing how the work is progressing. Mothers stop by, bringing their children to see the dragon
During the next weeks Baba works numerous hours every day. Friends, neighbors and community members stop by and help, are becoming more and more involved. You know the feeling, when you are inspired by an idea, i.e. to build a dragon? Suddenly you see and meet dragons all over: at the store little dragons out of plastic, in a movie …
Carlos knows how to work with wood, too..
Storm in Columbus.. out of electricity over days.. but the dragon is growing..
By the way, the mural in the back hanging at the fence was made by visitors at our Second African Village Arts Festival in August 2008. Queen Brooks prepared and instructed this community mural painting.
Which direction should the dragon face?
How long should the neck be and what should the head look like? We have to change the neck!!!
How to do the legs?
The tail... how to do it? It should be strong and looking elegant
Yeah, this one looks good.
Neighbor Dale meanwhile, is part of the project
Baba loves this kind of work…
Working on the last part of the tail Chief Shongo is already thinking about the wings: how can we create them to be stable and also make them look light and strong at the same time?
Here is the solution
Seems like the dragon is already alive and watching the work…
Chief Shongo Obadina knows how to develop ideas and express his artistic skills.., and he knows how to involve his community in this development.
Today - Now
It is the end of September 2008. The dragon is nearly finished.
I just interviewed Baba:
Hey, Baba, how did you come up with the idea to build a dragon in your yard?
Oh, you wanted to built one out of mosaic tiles and we end up to work with wood. If you ask about my main motivation I would say I wanted to save money: to have another artist here to do this work would have cost 25.000 Dollars.. and now I did it together with friends and am satisfied with the image!
How many hours did you work on this dragon until now and how much money did you spend?
At this point I spent around 3000 Dollars (materials). Counting my labor, that would be additional 6000 Dollars. I expect three more weeks to work on the dragon for the total completion. Altogether the costs might be around 15000 Dollars including labor.
How will you celebrate when you are finished?
At this point I think that the dragon is my finest, my best piece of art work and perhaps we will have a little party to celebrate this.
I will leave the U.S.A. in a few days and am exited about how this story will end, what the dragon will look like in a few weeks. Already the “little one” seems to be alive.
Chief Shongo Obadina says thank you to all the helping friends!!
A dragon fly loves to visit…
I loved to be part of this DRAGON PROJECT! It was exciting every day, I learned a lot and had that much fun. Thank you.
Special thanks to my friend Karen Beardman. She edited the booklet "A dragon is being born". That was an essential help for me. You can get the booklet at the William H. Thomas Art Gallery!
In the West, dragons are perceived to be the ultimate nightmare; the epitome of evil that has plagued humankind since the Dark Ages, the complete manifestation of all that is wicked, (though our fear of them is mingled with a respectful awe). With fiery breath, sharp claws, formidable teeth – not to mention the ability to repel man’s primitive weaponry – and the freedom afforded to them by flight, these magnificent creatures have always demanded our humble respect.
William H. Thomas Art Gallery at 1270 Bryden Road - Please check the examples of Baba's Art work on this website 
One morning in the end of August 2008 Chief Shongo jumped out of his bed and said: I will create a dragon in my yard! Okay. Let us build a dragon. 
The yard will be the best place! 
In the course of the next few weeks the project will turn out as a real community project but let me start telling you about the development first. One of the first ideas is to build a dragon out of bricks and cover it with tiles like mosaic art (I love to do mosaic arts..). But no, Baba wants to have the skin of the dragon decorated with pebbles. Okay. We do research in the internet: how does a dragon look like? Wow. There are that many different kinds of dragon! Okay, let us create our own design. Baba will form the skeleton out of bricks… Our dragon should have a long tail, body, wings and four legs. 
Baba needs to build a foundation for the sculpture. Mister Mason, an experienced professional of all kinds of constructions, gives advice. His ideas are very helpful. Should we continue? 
Yes. We continue. It is good to get help to dig the wholes for the foundation. Deep wholes filled with cement will be a strong foundation to preserve the dragon “from flying away”. 
For now we don't need the bricks no more... may be we will create something else out of them...
Sometimes I can help. I would have loved to do the dragon out of mosaic tiles or pebbles, but the best is to make the dragon out of wood!
Wooden flower pots become the body of the dragon… 
Baba is screwing, hammering, sawing.. and thinking about solutions
How to do the legs?
The tail... how to do it? It should be strong and looking elegant
Here is the solution
I just interviewed Baba:
A dragon fly loves to visit…
