Modern Nigerian art is based on techniques that the Europeans taught the Africans.  African art in the early 20th century was not considered real 'art.'  So the Europeans took their artistry and brought it to Africa.    The new sculptural forms depict the natural world in a representational way.  This is illustrated in the images below.  Both of the images below were made by students at the University of Nigeria

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This sculpture is formed in the shape of a man who comes from the nomadic Fulani culture.   This figure shows a man standing in a relaxed position, balancing a cane on his shoulders with his arms looped over it.  The Fulani use their canes to direct cattle when they are moving across land, as well as to support themselves when they are tired.  The figure wears a broad brimmed hat, like the straw hats worn by these herders for shade.  Along with his cane, we see him carrying a canteen or water jug and beads around his neck.  Sketched in metal are the man's t-shirt and long shorts characteristically worn by villagers.  In actuality, these clothes are colorful and almost a trademark of the Fulani.  

Discovery
Earlier in the year every student was required to go to the African Cultural Center in Worcester owned by Emil Igwenago, to look at his art collection.  From there we picked objects that seemed interesting to us, for varying reasons.  I chose these pieces because I felt they stood out amongst the other works.  They were the only pieces that were made out of iron.  From there I continued my research.  For myself, interviews with two Nigerian men who lived in Nigeria and one who had studied Nigerian art was the best source of information. From there it was all just a matter of putting the new found information on paper and into my own words.  

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The second work consists of multiple figures riding  bicycles.  These two are what we call wine tappers.  During the day they tap palm trees for wine, and in the evening they transport it in the jugs on the backs of their bikes to the market where they can sell it.

For more information about Nigeria  visit here

For pictures of student sculpture from the University of Benin,
click here

To read my paper
click here