CHAPTER 1: EXPLORATION OF AESTHETIC VALUES OF THE AGBOGHO-NJENJE COSTUME IN CONTEMPORARY PAINTING

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
painting, a two-dimensional visual art form, has been used globally for social criticism and cultural identity expression. Originally promoting aesthetic ideals, it has evolved into humanitarian endeavours. Artists are mainly influenced by their environment and culture, sometimes cross-culturally. African masks, for example, had a definite impact on Pablo Picasso's cubist painting style in Europe. According to McCully (2010), a group of European avant-garde painters were highly impressed by the exquisite forms of traditional African sculptures throughout the early 20th century, which in turn had a significant impact on the development of modern art. 
Despite their apparent ignorance of the fundamental ideas and purposes of West and Central African culture, these European artists did not waste any time in incorporating their distinctive forms that had spiritual undertones, to depart from the naturalistic styles that defined Western art 
(Avav, 2017). 
African artists are exploring indigenous cultures and traditional art forms to discover innovative artistic expressions, aiming to enhance their social values and new meanings through their investigative engagements. In Nigeria, artists' explorative projects have significantly influenced their creative future and brought their traditional artistic history into the present. Obeta (1991) posits that eminent scholars like Uche Okeke (1933 – 2016), Obiora Udechukwu (1946 - ), and Chike Aniakor (1939) have been inspired by Igbo traditional Uli body designs. Their artworks now hold the same value as their contemporaries’ worldwide. Notably, Nigerian artists have drawn inspiration from masquerades, as seen in paintings by Ben Chuka Enwonwu (1917 - 1994) and others. These artistic studies immensely contributed to the development of African art and culture (Saleh, 2010). 
This research investigates the Agbogho-Njenje masquerade of the Afikpo Village-Group, focusing on costume elements and accessories for contemporary paintings. The goal is to develop a unique artistic expression style, giving the researcher's work a distinct character.