Equestrian Forms in Traditional and Contemporary Nigerian Art

Abstract

The prevalence of equestrian forms found in both traditional and contemporaryNigerian art has been traced to the fascination for the horse as an animal possessed of agility and strength as well as providing companionship, wealth and status symbol for humans. The horse rider having been immortalised in wood, ivory, bronze and recently on canvas, provides an enduring source for modernist expressions. Aside from the adulation and the obvious romantic appeal of horse and rider for this age, the paper wonders if the adaptation of its prevalent symbols can help solve the problems of the nation state of Nigeria. For those interested in iconography; a lexicon of decorative motifs has been provided.