Solomon Wangboje’s Creative Work: The Romance of the Headload Series and Festival of the Gods

Solomon Wangboje has, without doubt, excelled in his artistic craftsmanship which reached a very advanced stage. He has contributed immensely to the development of printmaking in Nigeria through the application and exposure of various themes, techniques and media in his creative work. This paper will examine Wangboje’s prints, namely “Romance of the Headload” (Series II, III, IV) and “Festival of the Gods”, with a view to highlighting the socio-cultural and religious themes projected by the artist, among them the promotion of entrepreneurial development through artistic endeavours in “Romance of the Headload” series and religion and culture in “Festival of the Gods”. The paper will also analyze the techniques applied by the artist to enhance and project these themes. Keywords: romance, printmaking, headload technique

A Study of Selected Mixed Media Paintings by Jimoh Buraimoh

Jimoh Buraimoh’s artworks make a meaningful statement in the development of mosaic bead painting in Nigeria. His art forms are symbolic and associated with themes derived from the culture and daily activities of the Yorubas and Edos. This paper will examine selected art works from Buraimoh’s mosaic mixed media bead paintings, namely, “Obatala and Devil”, “Installation of an Oba”, “Romance of the Headload”, “Endless World” and “Ere Ibeji”. Buraimoh’s works reflect the formalist approach which is largely evident in the styles and techniques of his painting. This study will focus on the description, interpretation and evaluation of his works against the backdrop of modern art in Nigeria. Keywords: mixed media, beads, mosaic, art forms

Bruce Onobrakpeya: Categorization of Mythical Realism Period: 1959 to 1966

Bruce Onobrakpeya is a renowned Nigerian master printmaker, whose work has been categorized into various periods, one of which is the mythical realism period. This period (1959-1966) witnessed the creation af artwork inspired by ideas he acquired in college, as well as in workshops he attended. It is also a period which highlighted the growth of his style and techniques which manifested in the creation of artistic narratives of myth and folklore expressed in semi-reality, naturalistic and abstract forms. Most of the themes of these works were also influenced by his environment, particular that of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and his people the Urhobos. This article focused on various aspects of Onobrakpeya’s work of the mythical realism period, their impact on his growth as an artist and on the development of contemporary art in Nigeria and Africa.Key Words: Onobrakpeya, mythical realism, art, developmen

Oil: Visual Metaphors in Paintings of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri in the Niger Delta of Nigeria in 1956,  served as a doorway to the discovery of several oil wells in Port Harcourt.  Unfortunately, oil exploration activities have led to major changes in the  historical, political and socio-economic dynamics of the area. Inevitably, these changes have resulted in social transformations which have inspired artists to produce artistic works - visual images that tell the stories of oil communities and people of Port Harcourt. These stories revolve around environmental  degradation, conflict and the struggle for socio-political and economic  development. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to explore the narrative metaphors which unfold within selected paintings that reveal the impact of oil exploration activities on Port Harcourt and its people, and the significance of these paintings in modern Nigerian art.Key Words: Oil, Port Harcourt, environmental degradation, conflict, paintin