OUESTION 4

 

1. Write notes on Aina Onabolu with particular reference to his:

   1. training;
   2. area of specialization and style;
   3. general contributions to the development of art.

   The question was popular among the candidates and most of them responded remarkably while a few goofed on his area of specification.  Generally, the question was well attempted but the candidates would have earned more marks if they had given the following responses:

    

   (a)        -           he started practicing art on his own in 1900 while still in government
                           employment.

   -           he travelled to England in 1920 to study art at St. John’s Wood Art School, London.

   -           he also studied art at Julian Academy            in Paris.

   -           he received a Diploma in art education and painting.

    

   (b)        -           he was a painter and an art educator.
               -           his paintings were academic and naturalistic.
               -           he worked more on painting of portraits.
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   (c)        -           against popular misconception, Onabolu was able to prove that
   Africans are also creative and capable of producing academic paintings which conform with the laws of proportion.

   -           he was the first indigenous art educator in Nigeria.

   -           he laid the foundation upon which other artists built and thus, he is popularly regarded as the father of modern Nigerian art.

   -           he encouraged government to employ expatriate art teachers, e.g. Kenneth Murray and Dennis Duerden to teach in Nigerian schools.

                           -           his activities made art to be recognized in the Nigerian School system.

                           -           he fought for the inclusion of art in the school curriculum

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