IDNO

P.71444.GIJ

Description

A close up view of mural decorations on a wall in Nri Akwa. The murals depict two raised figures in relief. The stylised figure on the left is standing with his long (out of proportion) arms stretched out. The figure has a white painted clothing and body decorations, and his left arm is holding a gun? and is painted in spots. Around his head is white oval circular and designs. On either side of his legs are birds and leaf designs. He is standing on a decorated plinth. The figure on the right is standing and has his arms placed on his hips; his face is painted white and he is also painted with white markings and wearing a medal around his neck. Around the figures are designs, geometric swirled patterns and birds.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; South Eastern Nigeria; Onitsha province; Nri Awka

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Nri Akwa

Named Person

Photographer

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1930 - 1939

Collection Name

Jones collection

Source

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

It is unclear which box P.71442.GIJ to P.71444.GIJ have come from.

Context: Jones provides a detailed discussion about wall paintings, he writes, “ In the brief boom period following the First World War the villages of this tribe were competing against each other in the building of meeting-houses and similar public monuments. The village of Umuajatta (Olokoro) conributed together to build the finest Ekpe (Egbo) society house in the area. The design was new and consisted of an ovoid outer wall surmounted by a very tall raffia mat roof. To beautify this wall they hired an Anang (Ibibio) artist to paint frescoes on it in the Ngwomo style. The house and particularly the frescoes were greatly admired locally and this inspired the people of Okwu village to replace thier Mbaja wall with a permanent one decorated in the same manner. This villag was already distinguished from other villages in the tribe by having a solid mud wall which they called Mbaja and which was regarded as a kind of public monument.” PP. 107-108.

Bibliographical Reference: Jones, G.I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria (Cambridge University Press)

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 13/11/2007]