An Analytical Contemplation of the Meaning of Some Selected Sculptures in the University of Jos Built Environment.

Abstract

Visual arts pieces, especially sculpture, have various purposes ranging from aesthetics, to nonaesthetic functions, usually assigned either didactic and other assigned purposes by the artist or commissioning patrons. In traditional African societies, art can transcend from art for art sake to more specific functions; similarly, in contemporary or modern art practices, artworks are created to serve certain functions like education, immortalization, commemoration and for landmark purposes which all form part of our collective cultural heritage. This paper is an analysis of the various sculptural pieces dotting the landmark of the University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State - Nigeria. Hence, the discourse is on the artists that created the works vis-a-vis the patrons, functions and projections for the future on productions of sculptures in the built environment in adding aesthetics while serving other functions. The works were purposively used in the collection of data for the study, while in-depth interview approach was used to understand the interpretative nuances of all the parties involved in the production of the works. The paper concludes by drawing inferences from the works cited and advances recommendations for future studies of other visual arts pieces on campus and the built environment.