EVALUATING THE ROLE OF VISUAL ART IN THE BEAUTIFICATION OF ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS
KUFORIJI, ESTHER A. AND AKANDE-ADEDEJI, OLUFUNKE, Volume 3 Issue 1, 2020 Pages 125-134, Published: 2020-09-25
Abstract
Abeokuta which literally means “under the Rock” is the biggest city in Ogun State and also the capital city. It covers 879 square kilometers of land mass with 494,700 people as at 2015 population census. The landscape of different locations in the metropolis are adorned with artworks which add to the aesthetic appeals of the environment. These artworks are erected or put in place by Government, individuals and organizations. This paper takes a look at the role of visual arts such as Sculpture, Art works on architectural designs and Graphic Arts in the beautification of the city. Eight sculptural works one mosaic design and one mural painting are analyzed and objectively critiqued. Suggestions are made on some areas that need attention as well as other forms of art that could be put in place to make the metropolis to be more beautiful as it is in other major cities especially the state capitals in Nigeria. The research was carried out through fieldwork, interview, photograph, personal observations and review of related literature.