Isoko Artists and Their Audiences

Abstract

interaction provided by artisan guilds, wealthy patrons, or market-conscious entrepreneurs, there are still observable guiding patterns and criteria for artistic production. Generally speaking, Isoko artist and audience/patron interaction is informal, with control of the product primarily in the artists' hands; however, in the following observations of a broad range of Isoko art forms, I will elaborate on some significant dimensions to this picture.' The Isoko of the northwestern Niger Delta fringe are usually grouped with the Edo and Edo-related peoples of southern Nigeria, such as the Urhobo, Ishan, and northern Edo clans. Bounded by the