Meaning and Influence of Global Art Forms for SS 1

Global Artforms

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain global artforms;
2. describe the influence of global artforms on contemporary Nigerian art;
3. explain the influence of Nigerian art on global art practice;
4. describe personal inspiration from global artforms.

Meaning of Global Artforms

Global artforms refer to artistic expressions and traditions that originate from various cultures and regions around the world, extending their reach and influence beyond their places of origin.

These artforms reflect the unique histories, beliefs, environments, and aesthetic values of different societies. They can include paintings, sculptures, textiles, architecture, calligraphy, and many other creative expressions. The term “global” implies that these artforms are shared, appreciated, and sometimes adapted across different cultures, contributing to a rich worldwide artistic heritage.

Influence of Global Artistic Traditions on Contemporary Nigerian Art

Contemporary Nigerian art has been significantly shaped by artistic traditions from other parts of the world. This influence is often seen in the adoption of new techniques, materials, styles, and themes that blend with indigenous Nigerian artistic practices.

For example, European art introduced oil painting, canvas, and Western concepts of perspective and realism, which Nigerian artists like Aina Onabolu and Ben Enwonwu incorporated into their works. Asian art, particularly printmaking techniques, has also influenced some Nigerian artists who explore different methods of graphic expression. Similarly, artforms from other African countries have inspired Nigerian artists to explore pan-African themes and styles, fostering a sense of continental identity in their creations.

This interaction has led to a dynamic and diverse contemporary Nigerian art scene that combines local heritage with global artistic ideas, creating unique expressions that are both Nigerian and universally appealing.

Influence of Nigerian Art on Global Art Practice

Nigerian art has also had a profound impact on global art practice, particularly in the 20th century and beyond. Traditional Nigerian art forms are celebrated worldwide for their aesthetic quality, spiritual depth, and technical sophistication.

Ancient Nigerian art, such as the Nok terracotta sculptures (dating back to 500 BC), the exquisite bronze and terracotta heads from Ife, and the elaborate Benin bronzes, influenced early 20th-century European modernists. Artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were inspired by the abstract forms, stylisation, and expressive power of African sculptures, including those from Nigeria, leading to new directions in Western art movements like Cubism.

In contemporary times, Nigerian artists continue to contribute to global art dialogues through their unique perspectives, innovative techniques, and exploration of universal themes. Their works are exhibited in major galleries and museums worldwide, enriching the global artistic landscape and showcasing the enduring creativity of Nigerian culture.

Practical Inspiration from Global Artforms

Artists often draw inspiration from diverse sources to enrich their creative practice. Exploring global artforms can provide new ideas for composition, colour, line, texture, and subject matter. The following examples highlight some global artforms and how they can inspire new artistic creations.

European Art: Renaissance Painting and Greek Sculpture

Renaissance Painting: Originating in Europe from the 14th to the 16th centuries, Renaissance painting is known for its realism, use of perspective, detailed human figures, and rich colours. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo created masterpieces that captured human emotion and natural beauty.

Inspiration for Nigerian artists can come from the mastery of human anatomy, the use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) to create depth, and the storytelling through detailed compositions. An artist might adapt the realistic portrayal of figures to depict Nigerian people in traditional attire or modern settings, using Renaissance techniques to highlight their dignity and presence.

Greek Sculpture: Ancient Greek sculpture, from around 800 BC to 300 BC, is famous for its idealised human forms, balance, harmony, and emphasis on athletic and heroic figures. Sculptors aimed for perfection in proportion and movement.

Nigerian artists can find inspiration in the pursuit of ideal forms and the dynamic poses of Greek sculpture. This could translate into creating sculptures of Nigerian heroes or figures, focusing on strong, balanced compositions and celebrating the human form, perhaps incorporating elements of traditional Nigerian sculptural styles.

Asian Art: Chinese Calligraphy and Japanese Woodblock Prints

Chinese Calligraphy: This ancient art form, dating back thousands of years, involves the artistic writing of Chinese characters using ink and brush. It is highly valued for its expressive lines, balance, rhythm, and the spiritual discipline it requires.

Nigerian artists can draw inspiration from the expressive power of lines and brushstrokes in calligraphy. This could involve using traditional Nigerian scripts or symbols, or even abstract forms, to create artworks that emphasise fluidity, balance, and the dynamic interplay of positive and negative space, similar to calligraphic principles.

Japanese Woodblock Prints: Popular from the 17th to 19th centuries, these prints (Ukiyo-e) are known for their vibrant colours, bold outlines, flattened perspectives, and depictions of everyday life, landscapes, and theatre. Artists like Hokusai created iconic images.

Inspiration can be found in the strong graphic quality, use of colour, and unique compositions. Nigerian artists might create prints depicting local markets, festivals, or cityscapes, using bold outlines and flat areas of colour, similar to the aesthetic of Japanese woodblock prints, but with Nigerian subjects and themes.

African Art (outside Nigeria): Egyptian Wall Art and Ethiopian Icons

Egyptian Wall Art: Ancient Egyptian wall art, found in tombs and temples, dates back thousands of years. It is characterised by its distinctive profile views of figures, hierarchical scale, symbolic imagery, and use of vibrant mineral pigments. It often tells stories of gods, pharaohs, and daily life.

Nigerian artists can be inspired by the symbolic language, narrative quality, and stylised figures of Egyptian wall art. They might create murals or paintings that tell stories from Nigerian mythology or history, using similar profile views and symbolic elements, adapted to local contexts and colours.

Ethiopian Icons: Ethiopian icons are religious paintings, often on wood, created from the 13th century onwards. They are known for their distinctive stylised figures, large eyes, vibrant colours, and narrative scenes from the Bible or lives of saints. They serve as objects of devotion.

Inspiration can be drawn from the expressive stylisation of figures, the use of bold colours, and the spiritual depth of Ethiopian icons. Nigerian artists could create artworks that explore spiritual or cultural narratives, using similar stylised forms and rich colour palettes, perhaps depicting figures from local folklore or religious traditions.

American Art: Native American Patterns and Pop Art

Native American Patterns: Indigenous peoples across the Americas have created rich artistic traditions, often featuring intricate geometric patterns, animal motifs, and symbolic designs in textiles, pottery, basketry, and painting. These patterns often carry deep cultural and spiritual meanings.

Nigerian artists can be inspired by the geometric precision, symbolic use of motifs, and vibrant colour combinations found in Native American patterns. This could lead to creating abstract artworks, textile designs, or pottery decorations that incorporate Nigerian symbols and patterns, arranged with the complexity and rhythm seen in Native American art.

Pop Art: Emerging in the 1950s and 60s, Pop Art challenged traditional fine art by incorporating imagery from popular culture, such as advertisements, comic books, and everyday objects. Artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein used bold colours, commercial printing techniques, and often a sense of irony.

Nigerian artists can draw inspiration from Pop Art’s use of bold colours, graphic styles, and engagement with popular culture. They might create artworks that feature Nigerian consumer products, celebrities, or comic book characters, using bright, flat colours and strong outlines to comment on contemporary Nigerian society and popular trends.

Oceanic Art: Aboriginal Art

Aboriginal Art: From Australia, Aboriginal art is one of the oldest continuous art traditions in the world, often featuring dot paintings, cross-hatching, and symbolic representations of landscapes, dreamtime stories, and ancestral beings. It is deeply connected to spiritual beliefs and the land.

Nigerian artists can be inspired by the storytelling aspect, the use of repetitive patterns (like dots), and the connection to spiritual narratives in Aboriginal art. They might create artworks that tell Nigerian folklore or ancestral stories using similar dot painting techniques or symbolic patterns, adapted to represent Nigerian landscapes and cultural narratives.

Creating Art Inspired by a Global Art Form

This practical exercise allows for the application of inspiration drawn from global artforms. The goal is to create a simple artwork that reflects elements of a chosen global art tradition while expressing a personal artistic vision.

The required materials are:

1. Drawing paper or cardboard
2. Pencils (HB, 2B)
3. Eraser
4. Colouring materials (colour pencils, crayons, pastels, or watercolours)
5. Reference images of chosen global artform (optional, but helpful)

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Choose an Art Form: Select one global art form from the examples discussed (e.g., Japanese woodblock prints, Native American patterns, Pop Art). Consider which aspects of its style, technique, or subject matter you find most inspiring.
2. Identify Key Elements: Study your chosen art form. What are its distinctive features? Is it the bold lines, flat colours, geometric patterns, expressive brushstrokes, or realistic figures? Make a mental note or sketch these elements.
3. Brainstorm a Subject: Think of a Nigerian subject or theme that you would like to express using the inspired elements. This could be a person, an animal, a landscape, a cultural event, or an abstract idea.
4. Sketch Your Idea: On your drawing paper, lightly sketch your chosen Nigerian subject. Begin to incorporate the key elements from the global art form. For example, if inspired by Japanese woodblock prints, use bold outlines. If inspired by Native American patterns, integrate geometric shapes.
5. Develop the Composition: Refine your sketch, paying attention to how the elements are arranged on the paper. Ensure there is balance and visual interest.
6. Add Colour: Using your chosen colouring materials, apply colours to your artwork. Consider the colour palette often used in your inspiring global art form, or adapt it with colours that are significant in Nigerian culture.
7. Refine and Finish: Review your artwork. Add any final details, strengthen lines, or adjust colours as needed. Ensure the artwork clearly shows inspiration from the global art form while maintaining your unique expression.