The emphatic wood sculptures at the University of Benin – their cultural and philosophical contributions to Nigerian art space: an articulation of African aesthetics

Abstract

Artists worldwide use various means and materials to realize their visual expressions. In the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Benin, different types of materials can be seen used by students and lecturers alike. Some of these materials are fiberglass, bronze, metals, stone, clay and wood. Of all these materials, wood have come up as one of the most outstanding, dependable and striking. Three very evocative wood sculptures attracting attention and critical review are Life in Phases, Shame and Life is a Scuffle. These three ever powering and fascinating sculptures continue to speak volumes of the shamelessness among our greedy political office holders, the struggle to break even in our ever demanding and corrupt society. Is there any solution in sight for mankind’s daunting problems? This and more questions are what this paper seeks to answer and critically establish.