Nigerian Art: The Problem of Identity

Abstract

The tag “Nigerian art” has continued to generate ripples in the academia most especially among the art historian. Several attempts were made to define “Nigerian art” by foreign and indigenous writers before and after Nigeria independence in 1960 without an agreeable or workable definition. With the controversies still going on, the question now is who is qualified to label or define Nigeria art considering the submissions of these authors. This paper advocates for an acceptable and workable definition through a synthesis of ideas that will anchor on the consideration of the art, the producer and the birthplace of the art-works. The paper defines “Nigerian art” as “works of art produced by Nigerians in its purest form devoid of any foreign influence.

Keywords: Nigerian, Art, Traditional, Contemporary, Representation, Visual, Aesthetics, Identity, Creativity.