Aesthetic Attitude and Studio Ethics among Student of Ife Art School in Nigeria

Abstract

Attitude is everything, and attitude in all societies is cultivated by responding positively or otherwise to ethics- sets of moral standards and principles guiding human operations and interactions. This paper discusses aesthetic attitude, art studio ethics, and responsiveness of art students to ethics and use/maintenance of studio facilities. Using the Fine and Applied Arts Department of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as a template, the paper draws heavily on pedagogical art criticism and participant observation technique of art historical inquiry to establish the connectedness of aesthetic attitude, aesthetic experience and aesthetic standard, in relation to art training and artistic creativity. The study shows that an appreciable percentage of the students exhibited poor aesthetic attitude, which is traceable to a faulty (or imbalanced) visual aesthetic education provided within the context of Nigerian education curriculum. The study also reveals inadequate studio space, which constrains creativity and creative processes. The paper posits the grounding of visual art students in positive aesthetic attitude, maintenance culture and ethical behaviour to guarantee students’ holistic development as art professionals. It concludes that students’ attitude, with respect to art facilities and studio ethics, is a consequence of individual aesthetic education and experience; hence, it is behavioural. Keywords: Visual Art, Aesthetics, Art Studio, Aesthetic Attitude, Ethics DOI: 10.7176/ADS/101-04 Publication date: August 30 th 2022