Portrait painting as a creative pathway to the conservation and retention of our historical memory: The art of Ikechukwu Igwenagu

Abstract

Portrait painting has found a pride of place in Nigeria contemporary art through the works of Ikechukwu Igwenagu. Ikechukwu Igwenagu has received  over two thousand commissions for portrait painting from both the federal and state governments in Nigeria as well as individuals and private sector  organizations. The present study argues that while portrait paintings may no longer command attention in public art exhibitions, Ikechukwu Igwenagu’s  portrait paintings have reconstructive value particularly as a tool for the conservation and retention of our historical memory. The primary argument is  that portrait painting can serve as a tool for historical documentation. The study discusses some of his portrait paintings in terms of their types,  production techniques and styles in order to demonstrate that his portrait paintings are in some ways quite objective in their visual import and also show  us how some individual innovations can infiltrate the nature of portrait painting so that the objective can become experimental. The study  concludes that Ikechukwu Igwenagu’s portrait paintings serve as a form for historical documentation for the conservation and preservation of our  historical memory. Therein lies their significance because, according to the German philosopher Nietzsche, history is our eternal present.