Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Second Term
Week: 8
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Art History and Appreciation
Previous Lesson: Cloth Weaving Centres in Nigeria and Products.
Topic: MODERN NIGERIAN ARTIST, ART EDUCATORS, ART HISTORIAN (1900-1960)
Subject Matter: Meaning of modern Nigerian art (art practices influenced by formal training and modern ideas), ceramics, textile, graphics, painting, sculpture, development of modern Nigerian art (painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, graphics)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define modern Nigerian art.
Discuss the factors that influenced the development of modern Nigerian art between 1900 and 1960.
Identify key areas of development in modern Nigerian art during this period.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the contributions of pioneer modern Nigerian artists and art educators.
Develop an interest in researching more about Nigerian art history.

Psychomotor Domain:

Describe specific examples of modern Nigerian artworks in various media (painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, graphics).
Identify notable artists and their works from the period 1900-1960.

Recognize the cultural significance and evolution of modern Nigerian art.
Discuss the role of art in shaping national identity during the colonial and pre-independence era.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Obe, T. (2018). Visual Arts for Senior Secondary Schools. Lagos: University Press Plc.
www.nigerianart.net

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Photographs of artworks by pioneer modern Nigerian artists (e.g., Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, Ladi Kwali).
Nigerian art history texts or excerpts.
Images of artworks from museum collections.
Whiteboard or chalkboard and markers/chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the origins and evolution of modern art practices in Nigeria. It enables them to appreciate the pioneers who shaped Nigerian visual culture and recognize the blend of indigenous and foreign influences in the nation’s artistic development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of traditional Nigerian art forms and some historical context of Nigeria in the 20th century.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Modern Nigerian Art (1900-1960)

Meaning of Modern Nigerian Art

Modern Nigerian art refers to art practices that emerged in Nigeria from the early 20th century, primarily influenced by formal Western art education and modern ideas. It often combines indigenous themes, motifs, and philosophies with techniques and styles acquired through formal training, departing from purely traditional or ritualistic art forms.

Factors Influencing the Development of Modern Nigerian Art (1900-1960)

Formal Art Education: The establishment of art schools and departments (e.g., Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria) provided formal training.
Colonial Influence: Exposure to Western art styles and techniques through missionaries, colonial administrators, and returnee artists.
Cultural Nationalism: A desire to express Nigerian identity and culture using modern artistic idioms, especially towards independence.
Individual Pioneers: The efforts of early Nigerian artists who sought formal training abroad and returned to practice and teach.

Areas of Development in Modern Nigerian Art (1900-1960)

During this period, significant developments occurred across various art forms, laying the foundation for contemporary Nigerian art:

Painting:
- Characteristics: Early works showed strong academic realism, portraits, and landscapes. Later, artists began to integrate Nigerian themes and styles.
- Notable Artists:
  - Aina Onabolu (1881-1963): Considered the pioneer of modern Nigerian art, known for realistic portraits and landscapes.
  - Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994): Blended traditional Igbo aesthetics with Western modernism, known for his graceful figures and dynamic compositions.
Sculpture:
- Characteristics: Explored both traditional forms and modern interpretations, often depicting human figures and mythological themes.
- Notable Artists:
  - Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994): Famous for works like “Anyanwu” and “Sango,” which fuse traditional motifs with modern sculptural forms.
  - Felix Idubor (1927-1991): Known for his wood sculptures, often drawing inspiration from Edo traditional art.
Ceramics:
- Characteristics: While traditional pottery continued, this period saw the emergence of artists who brought traditional techniques to a modern, international stage.
- Notable Artists:
  - Ladi Kwali (c. 1925-1984): An internationally acclaimed potter from Abuja, known for her hand-built traditional Gwari pottery decorated with incised patterns.
Textiles:
- Characteristics: Development in dyeing techniques (e.g., Adire, Tie-dye), weaving (Aso-Oke), and embroidery, with new designs reflecting changing tastes and influences.
- Examples: Continued use of traditional patterns but with increased commercial production and adaptation for wider markets.
Graphics:
- Characteristics: Early forms included commercial art, sign painting, and illustrations for publications, often influenced by colonial aesthetics.
- Examples: Advertisements, posters, and book covers from the period.

Art Educators and Historians (1900-1960)

Art Educators: Pioneer artists like Aina Onabolu and Ben Enwonwu also played significant roles in art education, teaching in schools and colleges, inspiring a new generation of artists. The establishment of art schools provided platforms for formal art instruction.
Art Historians: While formal academic art history by Nigerian scholars developed later, early documentation and interpretation of Nigerian art were done by colonial ethnographers and anthropologists, laying groundwork for future studies.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and then introduces the topic by asking pupils what they understand by “modern art” and if they can name any Nigerian artists.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson and connect it to prior knowledge.

Step 2: Meaning of Modern Nigerian Art

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines modern Nigerian art, explaining its emergence from formal training and its blend of indigenous and Western influences. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core concept of modern Nigerian art.

Step 3: Factors Influencing Development

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Narration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the key factors that influenced the development of modern Nigerian art between 1900 and 1960, such as formal education, colonial influence, and cultural nationalism. The teacher lists these factors on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, contribute ideas, and copy notes from the board.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the driving forces behind the rise of modern Nigerian art.

Step 4: Development in Painting and Sculpture

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the developments in painting and sculpture, showing photographs of artworks by artists like Aina Onabolu and Ben Enwonwu. The teacher highlights their styles and contributions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the images, identify the artworks, and note down key artists and examples.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about specific artistic developments and key figures in painting and sculpture.

Step 5: Development in Ceramics, Textiles, and Graphics

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the developments in ceramics, textiles, and graphics, showing images where possible (e.g., Ladi Kwali’s pottery, Adire textiles). The teacher mentions how these forms evolved.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, listen, and identify examples and artists in these categories.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the evolution of other important art forms during the period.

Step 6: Discussion of Key Artists/Art Educators

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Question and Answer/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion about the impact of these pioneer artists and art educators on the growth of Nigerian art. The teacher asks pupils to recall the names mentioned and their contributions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, recalling names and sharing their understanding of the artists’ roles.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their knowledge of key figures and their significance.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define modern Nigerian art.
Mention two factors that influenced the development of modern Nigerian art between 1900 and 1960.
Name two pioneer Nigerian artists from the 1900-1960 period and one artwork by each.
Identify two areas of development in modern Nigerian art during this period.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of modern Nigerian art history. The teacher gives homework: “Research and write a short paragraph about another modern Nigerian artist from the 1900-1960 period not mentioned in class.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils review the lesson and receive further learning tasks.

Lesson Keywords

Modern Nigerian Art – Art practices influenced by formal training and modern ideas, often blending indigenous and Western styles.
Aina Onabolu – Pioneer Nigerian artist known for realistic portraits and landscapes.
Ben Enwonwu – Influential Nigerian sculptor and painter who fused traditional and modern forms.
Ladi Kwali – Renowned Nigerian potter known for traditional Gwari pottery.
Art Educator – An individual who teaches art, contributing to the development of new artists.
Art Historian – A person who studies and writes about the history of art.

Differentiation

For struggling learners, the teacher will provide simplified notes and focus on identifying key artists and their mediums. Advanced learners will be encouraged to research specific artworks and analyze their stylistic features, preparing a brief presentation for the next class.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure to have a good collection of visual aids, either physical prints or digital images, to effectively illustrate the artworks and artists discussed. Encourage pupils to visit local art galleries or online museum collections to deepen their appreciation for modern Nigerian art. Emphasize the historical context of the period (colonialism, pre-independence) and how it influenced artistic expression.