Nigerian art is characterized by its realism, proportionate figures and natural themes.
For nearly 2,000 years, Nigerians have been creating pieces of art unique in style and subject matter to their region of west Africa. Wooden, ivory and bronze sculptures make up the bulk of ancient Nigerian art, but painting, textile weaving, pottery and participatory arts, such as playing music or reciting stories, are also practiced. Try your hand at one of these activities to gain a better understanding of the kind of traditional art Nigerians have made for generations.
Benin Sculpture Replicas
Benin free-standing and relief sculptures were crafted out of brass, bronze and ivory by Nigerian artists who developed a specialized style of sculpting. Examine examples of human and animal figurines, plaques, masks, heads and even large metal pictures made in the Benin style of Nigerian art, which were typically reserved to decorate the homes of the wealthy, then try your hand at creating a replica sculpture. Carve modeling clay or florist foam to create either a Benin free-standing or relief sculpture and then paint it a metallic bronze or brass color to gain a better understanding of this Nigerian artistic style.
Dundun Drum
Crayola offers free online instructions for kids on make an authentic replica of a two-headed, "talking" Nigerian dundun drum out of plastic flower pots, polyester or poplin fabric and twine. These Nigerian drums are made in a wide variety of sizes in a distinctive hourglass shape, and they are played while cradled under one arm with curved drumsticks. Making a dundun drum will not only give you something to play during your spare time, but also give you a better understanding of how masters of this Nigerian instrument can make it speak to people by producing different tones.
Life-Sized Ife Head
Make replicas of the famous bronze and terra cotta Nigerian Ife royal heads by modifying plastic heads from dolls or mannequins with modeling clay, then spray painting them with bronze metallic paint. The life-sized or larger terra cotta, brass, copper and bronze heads crafted by artists of the Ife kingdom, which is now Nigeria, featured natural, realistic expressions and facial proportions much like those made in ancient Greece. Many of these Nigerian pieces of art have holes at the base of the neck which allowed the heads to attach to wooden poles to be carried, and you can do the same with your replica.
Nok Terra Cotta Figure Replicas
Create replicas of the famous Nok terra cotta figures of Nigeria out of real terra cotta clay or brown-colored oven-bake clay. These striking and imaginative clay figures are thought to be the oldest surviving African sculptures found south of the Sahara Desert, and most are made hollow like a coil pot. You can etch realistic details and expressions, just like the authentic Nok terra cotta figures and heads of Nigeria, with simple modeling clay tools, metal spoons or wooden skewers.
