Page 49 - AC-2-4

Arts & Communication Art and culture in Nigeria architecture

Common to many of Demas Nwoko’s works, Nigerian integrates the art and culture of the old Benin tradition
art and various crafts are well represented. Many times, into new buildings within its vicinity.
Demas uses sculptural forms that carry allegorical
17
meanings depicting certain cultural ideals Nwoko. The 3.3. Oyo State Cultural Center in Mokola Ibadan,
designer incorporates local art through local craftsmanship. Nigeria
To showcase his African architectural style, Demas invited Completed in 1977, the Oyo state cultural center was
local craftsmen to partake in the planning process, allowing intended by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the premier of the old
them to express their skills and knowledge using different western region at the time, to commemorate the festival of
media. His contributions are evident in the elements that art and culture for that year (FESTAC ‘77). The aim was to
are used within the building, such as the intricate carvings create a totem of the art and culture of western Nigeria. As an
on columns and doors within the building. Demas emblem of culture, the center became iconic to Oyo state and
showcased his African style and techniques in the ways its people in certain periods. Since then, the center has hosted
mentioned above. numerous events in various capacities, ranging from state-
organized programs to various privately organized events.
As a cultural center, the building extensively reveals and
celebrates the Indigenous lifestyle. Architectural elements Perched beautifully atop the Mokola Hills, the cultural
like courtyards are adopted from indigenous architecture, center’s entrance is flanked by two elegant sculptures, as
showcasing the traditional style of the area. Moreover, the seen in Figure 7. One sculpture depicts a man carrying
artwork on display provides insights into the lives of the a traditional Yoruba drum called the gangan, while the
local people, highlighting the varied crafts and skill levels other shows a man carrying a traditional Yoruba musical
of the Benin community. Particularly, at the entrance of instrument called the shekere. Both figures are gorgeously
the building, numerous mural wall paintings can be seen dressed in traditional Yoruba attires. The building
above the entrance slab, with a Benin mother head (a incorporates a great deal of elements that reflect Yoruba
symbol of FESTAC 77) strategically placed at the center culture and indigenous art, evident in the large sculptures
of the murals. This prominent feature cannot be missed at the entrance of the complex. The embellishments on
by the visitors while entering the building. The Benin the walls, which include murals and sculpted patterns
mother head is a symbolic art bronze casting typical of of various kinds (Figure 8), express ideas and concepts
the Benin people and represents the cultural and historic adapted from Yoruba history and tradition.
art style of the Ancient Benin Kingdom and its people. The main building features a blend of curvilinear and
In addition, the curvature visible on the façade walls of rectilinear forms. The most prominent space in the complex is
the building (to the right and left wings of the building the main auditorium, which includes two elevated platforms:
in Figure 4) represents the shape of the staff of the Oba of The proscenium and the thrust. Offices are attached to the
Benin (Figure 5). This remarkable architectural style by back of the stage, arranged sequentially on two floors. The
Demas integrates the art and culture of the Benin people complex houses three halls: The main auditorium with a
into their buildings. This approach is commendable as it gallery, the rehearsal hall, and the cinema hall.
A craft village is also located within the complex, at the
northeastern end of the main entrance. Buffered from the

Figure 7. Exterior view toward the entrance of the Mokola cultural
Figure 6. Use of natural materials on the façade of the Oba Akenzua center showing sculptures of Yoruba music makers. Source: https://www.
cultural center. Source: Authors’ fieldwork in 2019 saeedahwits.com/2017/01/cultural-centre-mokola-ibadan

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2024) 7 doi: 10.36922/ac.0333