Arts and crafts in Africa are moving to a higher level. Regional dominant religions and availability of raw materials have affected arts and crafts especially in a country like Nigeria. Religious beliefs are playing an important role in the artistic tradition of the society. And as you will agree, art closely adheres to the custom and culture of the people.
There are several pioneers in the field of arts who laid the foundation for today’s thriving art industry and saw to its survival through various consultations, personal efforts and group efforts thereby producing classical work of arts. Such artists include Aina Onabolu, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Yusuf Grillo, Akinola Lasekan, Prof. Ben Enwonwu, Kolade Oshinowo, Ladi Kwale, Erhabor Emokpae, Lamidi Fakeye, Uche Olaeke, Solomon Iren Wangboje, Udo Emma, Akolo Jimoh, Olaosebikan, T. A. Fasuyi, I. N. Uzoagba, Lawal Babatunde, C. Aniakor, Osunde Isiaka, Jide Oshigo, Dele Jegede, Demas Nwoko, Tunde Malomo and so on. These artists are classified according to the type of art they produce and these classifications include studio arts, education arts and historian arts.
Art is known as one of the things that constitute African culture and that makes it outstanding. Indigenous or traditional arts portray the philosophies, conventions and aesthetic values of diverse ethnic groups and culture in Africa. Specifically, Nigeria’s ancient art have been able to make her culture look rich. Ancient arts like Nok arts, Igbo-Ukwu arts, Esie-stone figures, Ife arts, Benin arts, Tsoede Bronzes, Nupe arts and Tada sculptures are devoid of comparison when it comes to beautifying African culture. Though Nigerians did not appreciate works of art for a long time, they are beginning to see its beauty and are also beginning to recognize that that beauty is costly. Thus, Nigerians’ attitude towards creative arts has gotten better over the last decade.
Ife, the cultural headquarters of the Yoruba ethnic group has its arts as the most remarkable in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa as a whole. It dates back to 900AD with classical and flourished works of art from the 11th to the 14th to the 15th century with notable archaeologists like Fragg, Bascow, Benard Fagg, Leofrobe and Nuis and Oliver who got their facts through temples, graves, excavations and casual findings. Their notable sites included IWIRIN GROOVES, ODO OGBE, ITA YEMOD and LACOGIDO. Ife arts include terracotta sculptures and bronze statues.
Great archaeologists like Bernard Fagg did not only discover objects at Ife but also in 1994, Bernard Fagg discovered hand axes, iron axes, fluted gourd, serpent sculpture, farming tools, iron bell and monkey heads in terracotta at sites like Teruga, Isaun and South of Abuja.
In other parts of Africa like Egypt, arts started at around 400BC and have existed for more than 3000 years without any revolution. The Egyptians are blessed in terms of geographical location and security which has influenced their arts tremendously. The Egyptians because of their polytheistic nature have their arts classified into three principal groups; the domestic arts, religious arts and arts for the adoration of the dead. Their sculptures are in form of busts or gigantic life sizes.
In Nigeria today, the continued significance of arts and crafts have been expressed through social media as budding artists have been applauded by their peers in the hope that their creativity will receive more attention.
This is all about being creative. Arts have not been stagnant at all in Africa. A large portion of the beauty of Africa comes from her arts. African culture is beautiful because her arts are beautiful. Great artists have been able to move the world of arts further, farther and forward to stages of Agape drawings, patterns and designs, tie and dye, batik and so on. It’s all about imagination, it’s all about creativity. These artists have allowed their imaginations to soar and to bring to life awesome designs. They continue to do so. I believe their efforts at keeping Africa beautiful should not be overlooked.
This piece is written by Prudence Onaah
1 Comment
Very nice..
Art, the beauty of Africa