Feminine Gender Issues in the Public Outdoor Sculpture Praxis of Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Issues of feminine gender non participation in the main execution of public outdoor sculpture images in Southwestern Nigeria have been examined in this study. Feminine gender iconic codification of mother and child symbol of maternal love and affection and the conceptual forms of fertility images in the sculpture practice was also highlighted. The study observed that subjects on heroine, leadership and anecdotal images which represent the womanhood daily cores in socio-cultural functions are significant feminine gender forms usually expressed in the public outdoor sculpture of Southwestern Nigeria. This study observed that female sculptors are still largely limited in the training and practice of sculpture as a field of specialization. The reason is due to female gender natural physical and emotional constituents which hardly favours tedious tasks such as sculpture production. Traditional belief system which outrightly excluded female from practicing certain enterprise considered to be too risky or not befitting to women folk such as sculpture and female maternal obligations has also limit female practice of  sculpture. However, the study observed that technology, availability of light sculpture material, power tools and precision equipment, opportunity of form expression in non-traditional sculpture forms in Nigeria could effectively be explored by female sculptors in the practice of outdoor sculpture in the zone.

Keywords: feminine, gender issue, public outdoor sculpture, Southwestern Nigeria