Animal Representations in Nigerian Art: A Review of Roles, Significance and Aesthetics

Authors : Michael Abiodun OYİNLOYE, Adebayo Abiodun ADELOYE, Peter Oluwagbenga ODEWOLE, Benjamin Eniitan F AFOLABİ

Pages : 33-42

Doi:10.17484/yedi.1117278

View : 119 | Download : 166

Publication Date : 2023-07-31

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :The paper explores literature, as well as Nigeria’s national museum’s content on the use of animal forms as elements and subjects in traditional Nigerian art from prehistoric to the contemporary time. It identifies the roles, and significance of animals to mankind, as well as appraises their aesthetic value in Visual Art. The paper dwells on Nigerian Indigenous tales associated with animals associated with certain Nigerian cultures such as snakes, lizards and crocodiles among others. Other data was sourced from books, journal articles, pictorial images online, as well as museum’s documentations online. Data was qualitatively analysed using art historian methods to descriptively present the data. The study identifies animals as important companions of man; most animals serve as food sources, while some typifies human characters. The study concluded that, animal representations in art were born out of love and regard for them. Nevertheless, they have significantly contributed to the visual aesthetics of the past and present cultures, and therefore need to be preserved for future generations to learn from and also to adopt them for art pieces.
Keywords : Hayvan, temsil, görsel sanat, estetik, Nijerya sanatı