The living arts of Nigeria

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The roots of Nigerian art lie deep in the history
and way of life of the people; the arts as
practiced today are an integral part of daily
living. Although using techniques handed
down from master to apprentice, from father
to son, for hundreds of years, today's artisans
are not merely following tradition but are
actively involved in an ongoing creative task.
In many cases it is possible to learn to
recognize, not only the work of one region or
tribe, but that of a particular individual.
The Living Arts of Nigeria captures the soul of a
people through an impressionistic sampling of
their vital art. The book reports on some of the
major crafts practiced in Nigeria today,
showing the variety and richness of the... Tovább

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The roots of Nigerian art lie deep in the history
and way of life of the people; the arts as
practiced today are an integral part of daily
living. Although using techniques handed
down from master to apprentice, from father
to son, for hundreds of years, today's artisans
are not merely following tradition but are
actively involved in an ongoing creative task.
In many cases it is possible to learn to
recognize, not only the work of one region or
tribe, but that of a particular individual.
The Living Arts of Nigeria captures the soul of a
people through an impressionistic sampling of
their vital art. The book reports on some of the
major crafts practiced in Nigeria today,
showing the variety and richness of the work,
from the simple purity of pottery water jars to
the sumptuous beaded crowns of the Yoruba
kings.
The introduction, by William Fagg, Keeper of
Ethnography at the British Museum and an
authority on African arts, sets Nigeria's arts
and crafts within the context of Africa and its
history. From the totality of artistic endeavor
found in the culture, seven major areas have
been chosen: beadwork, brass work, dyeing,
leather, pottery, weaving, and carving. The
several pages of full-color photographs devoted
to each craft capture the essence of the creative
process; the line, form, and color of the
finished product; the pride of the artisan. To
further explain the methods used, Michael
Foreman's captivating annotated illustrations
are interspersed with the photographs.
Together with William Fagg's short but
detailed descriptions, they give the reader a
uniquely accurate impression of the artist and
his work.
("continued on back flap
Qcontinuedfrom front flap^)
Despite the resurgence of interest in African
arts of the past, little attention has been paid
to the "living arts55. This volume provides an
eloquent record of the tremendous vitality of
the crafts practised in Nigeria today.
Willia-m Fagg is one of the world5s experts
on African art. He is author of Divine Kingship in
Africa, a study of the Bénin collection,
published by the British Museum, and also of
African Tribal Sculpture, Tribes and Forms in
African Art> Nigerian Images, and African
Sculpture, with Margaret Plass.
Michael Foreman is an artist of international
repute. He has written and illustrated several
successful children5s books, among them
The Perfect Present and Two Giants.
Harri Peccinotti, former Art Director of Nova
magazine, is a well-known fashion
photographer. Vissza