Project Abstract

<p> Decorative motifs and forms found in objects used in durbar show form the<br>inspiration and indeed the basis for the conduct of this study. Some of these<br>beautiful decorative motifs, which may be found in use in the arts of other cultural<br>groups in Nigeria and around Africa, consist of various kinds of circles, chevrons,<br>zigzags, spirals, and the famous dagi, (feline paw) popularly known as the<br>northern knot. Durbar displays a very rich collection of costumes worn by<br>participants such as the Royal fathers, the Knights and the chiefs. Others include<br>stewards, musicians and warriors. All of these participants serve different<br>functions and possess distinctive costumes that identify them from each other.<br>So also are horses adorned with beautiful costumes of captivating grandeur<br>befitting the status of the rider. It is observed that some artists ventured into<br>research on traditional forms and motifs from various sources but did not<br>specifically focus attention on durbar decorative motifs for research purposes.<br>It is therefore the problem of this study to highlight and exploit some of these<br>durbar decorative forms and motifs used as decoration in the Emir’s procession<br>for an analytical study in painting as a means of documenting and of ushering in<br>a new dimension to visual expression. This research study is therefore centered<br>around durbar decorative forms and motifs in the Zaria Emirate.<br>Various options are tried with motifs, rider, horse, musical instruments and colour<br>in the studio projects which followed. This research effort is intended in the long<br>run, to provide an academic foundation for budding artists to broaden their scope<br>in art perception and practice and to open up new ways and styles of expression<br>through the use of traditional decorative motifs in painting. <br></p>

Project Overview