A STUDY OF NEO-TRADITIONAL YORUBA WOOD CARVING IN IBADAN AND OYO TOWNS, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
A STUDY OF NEO-TRADITIONAL YORUBA WOOD CARVING IN IBADAN AND OYO TOWNS, OYO STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
1991-01
Authors
AJAYI, Sylvia
Obiamaka, Murphy
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on Neo-traditional wood carvers
of Ibadan and Oyo towns in Oyo State, Nigeria. It aims
specifically at examining the characteristics and function
of the art as well as ascertaining whether or not original
innovations exist or whether the artists are merely
imitating traditional art works. It further aims at
finding out the significance and contribution of
Neo-traditional art to African contemporary art.
Writers on contemporary African art are examined and
significant findings are made through questionnaire, oral
discussions and tape recorded interviews conducted during
field work. The study revealed the following:
- that the art forms have a composition of a
wealth of symbols, patterns and motifs which
are important and functional in Yoruba tradition;
- that the art forms are broadly cylindrical and
are usually carved directly from logs of wood
and that a part of the figure is very seldomly
joined, pegged, glued or nailed together;
that the Artists deliberately alter size and
other characteristics of their figures like
frontality and rigidity of pose for aesthetic
and symbolic purposes.
Following the findings, further suggestions for
proper documentation and the encouragement of literary
works for the promotion of the Neo-traditional art form
are made,
Description
Department of Fine Arts,
Faculty of Environmental Design,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria - Nigeria.
Keywords
STUDY,, NEO-TRADITIONAL,, YORUBA,, WOOD,, CARVING,, IBADAN,, OYO,, TOWNS,, OYO,, STATE,, NIGERIA