Thematic and Stylistic Appraisal of Sculpture in Public Places in Nigeria: The Example of Southwest

Abstract

Outdoor sculpture in Southwest of Nigeria is fast growing in practice and art historical values. Since its emergence in 1934, it has developed different modes in practice which have not been given proper art historical consideration. The nature of the fleeting practice, poor maintenance and preservation as well as constant loss of works portends serious art historical gap if left unattended to. It is therefore imperative that studies on the outdoor sculpture practice be conducted from time to time. In this study, themes and styles of the outdoor sculpture in the Southwestern Nigeria from 1900-2005 were examined. The period under study represents the emergence to the proliferation period of the practice. The outdoor sculptures within the period were enumerated and classified under form, style and material for proper analysis. Themes and styles from the samples of the works were specifically studied. Findings in the study reveals that thematic consideration in all the works were basically hinged on socio-political and economy state of the zone at each developmental phase. Forms were mainly expressed in realism with variation in each artist’s style. The study was conducted to place the themes and styles expressed in the nascent art on art historical record in the main stream contemporary Nigerian art. Significantly, the study is hoped to provide information and stimulate further studies in the related scholarly area.