An Examination of the Ideological Nexus between Zaria and Ife Art Schools

Abstract

This paper examines the ideological connection between Zaria and Ife Art Schools in a comparative milieu. In doing this, it chronicles the development of both Zaria and Ife Art Schools through the adoption of qualitative research design that relies on historical and descriptive approaches. It was discovered that the concept of Natural Synthesis emerged in Zaria Art School to critique the Western colonial hegemonic dominance in visual art rendition in line with the PanAfrican School of Thought. It was further discovered that the concept of Natural Synthesis was later appropriated by the graduates in Ife Art School under different names which eventually culminated in the emergence of Onaism and Araism ideological concepts. The formation of Onaism and Araism was to decolonise the Eurocentric art education that was hitherto taught. This paper found out that the concepts of Natural Synthesis, Onaism and Araism encourage the synthesis of Euro-American and African art styles to create a novel art work that allows the adaptation of indigenous African art style, theme, technique, and media