Femininity and Nudity: A Synthesis in the Works of Asuquo Alfred Akpabio

Abstract

Nigerian art has been practiced not only by professional artists but Artisans as well. Undoubtedly, many successful artists did not receive formal education but may have passed through apprenticeship before advancing their art education in schools. Qualitative and significant art have been produced from this informal school but unfortunately with little or no recognition. Some of the artists started their practice at an early age having been exposed to art environments early enough, or through genetic transfer. The objective of this paper is to project one of such artists from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, AsuquoAlfred Akpabio. It discusses his works from the perspective of culture and lifestyle as it concerns women and their individual roles.  Using the case study method of descriptive research, it peruses Akpabio's feminine sculptural works based on the functional and representational theories of visual art. It becomes imperative to art study as a visit to the gallery discovered that the artist under study appreciates the feminine gender as co-creators with the artist and God. Based on this, this study recommends that no disparity should be created between formally and informally borne art, for art is art.