The Resurgence of Terracotta in Contemporary Nigerian Sculpture
Njoku Kenneth Iheukwumere
*
Department of Fine Arts and Design, Wigwe University, Isiokpo, River State, Nigeria.
Obiora Anamaleze
Department of Fine Arts and Design, Wigwe University, Isiokpo, River State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study discusses the renaissance of terracotta as a primary medium in modern Nigerian sculpture, its evolution from a traditionally historical material to one of conceptual and aesthetic significance. Terracotta has strong roots in Nigeria's sculptural history, particularly in the Nok, Ife, and Benin civilizations, where it was used ritualistically, spiritually, and symbolically. But its use diminished under the influence of colonial power, modernist tendencies, and the embracing of industrial materials such that it was relegated to the periphery of modern art practice. Based on fieldwork, interviews with practicing artists, and observation of exhibitions, the research explores how Nigerian sculptors are envisioning a renewed interest in terracotta to contest existing art hierarchies and reconstitute material value. These artists are engaging with the medium not only for its natural and material potential but also for its ability to address subject matter of identity, cultural memory, environmental sustainability, and postcolonial critique. Grounded in postcolonial and material culture theory, the article argues that terracotta's revival reflects a broader trend of re-centring indigenous materials and epistemologies in Nigerian art. It argues that this re-engagement places terracotta as a medium of resistance and innovation and lends to a vibrant sculptural vocabulary mediating between tradition and modern relevance.
Keywords: Terracotta, contemporary Nigerian Sculpture, material culture, postcolonial theory, indigenous materials