A Critical Appraisal of Selected Afrofuturism Drawings of Steve Joseph Aimanesi

Abstract

Drawing is a visual art that engages any number of outlines on a surface. The act of drawing is an act which involves the making of marks on a surface so as to create an image, form or shape. Steve Joseph Aimanesi, a contemporary Nigerian master draughtsman and a painter, evolved extraordinary evanescent effects that conjured up the perception of colour and light emanating from the views he draws. A precious sensation of light, transfused through the particles or dust in the atmosphere fills the landscape Steve has drawn. Steve works entirely in Afrofuturism, a style of drawing initiated by Mark Dery, that deals with the mind, technology and strength. This paper examines the Afrofuturism drawings of Steve Aimanesi, a new style of drawing, and its contribution toward the development contemporary African art. The study mainly relied on interview for data collection, articles, journals and presentations with the artist.