Nigerian art: A short history

Abstract

This short review takes a historical journey into the traditional arts of Nigeria and the cultures that birthed them. It gives a nutshell description of the traditional artscape of Nigeria prior to colonialism and after. The study established that art is a universal language and mark of civilization which indicates that traditional Nigerian societies were already civilized before the Europeans came. It located nine art traditions in Nigeria that thrived in precolonial era and which serves as the archetypes for subsequent art developments in the country. It also observed that the growth of formal art training in post colonial Nigeria brought about the increase in art schools and the outcrop of a new breed of modern Nigerian artists who in turn were the precursors to contemporary Nigerian art of today. The study highlighted also the growth of an important aspect of art; art writing and criticism, as well as art collection in Nigeria. In conclusion, the study, notes that Nigerian traditional art, from history has always astonished the outside world and by virtue of the exploits made by it’s contemporary artists has come to a position of reckon globally.