Archive & Memory
Towards a Contemporary Communication of the Distant Past in Metal Art Practice
Blessing Fatoyinbo
University of Ibadan
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Presentation abstract
Abstract
Communicating, teaching, and preserving African history transcends documentation in black and white or oral repositories. The place of art is also vantage in the preservation of history. Different artists across various places have documented history through various medium. While some recall history on canvases, some others print history on fabrics, and yet others have engaged Artificial Intelligence (AI) in locating the past in the present. Among artists who have constantly represented African history in contemporary art practice is Dotun Popoola. Popoola’s synergetic metal art practice spans almost two decades. While sculpting metal using contemporary styles and themes, Popoola has constantly ensured to connect his art with African history through iconographic and emblematic representations on his art works. Through descriptive and analytic approach, this paper therefore explores historical documentation and recall in contemporary metal arts through the works of Dotun Popoola. Anchored on Erwin Panofky’s theory of Iconology, the paper argues that, contemporary metal art practice could be viable medium of historical pedagogy, historical preservation and documentation.
Meet the presenter
About the presenter
Blessing Fatoyinbo
Blessing Fatoyinbo is a Master’s student of African Visual Arts and Art History at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She obtained her first degree (B.A. Ed) in Fine and Applied Arts from Adeyemi College of Education. She is a creative artist who explores diverse ideas through various media such as acrylics, oil paints, yarn, and discarded objects. She has facilitated numerous training workshops. Her research area includes, art history and contemporary Nigerian art.