Thirteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society

Abstract

Study of the visual culture of Benin is saturated with the famous brass and ivory objects, which has helped to place the creativity of the kingdom in the cannon of art history in world terms. Besides these known media of creative expression, there is another material used and one that has not been accorded any significance. That of earthen sculptures. Earthen sculptures adorn communal and individual shrines in Benin and many other cultures of Africa. The sculptures are created from earthen materials derived from the anthills and termite mounds. Choice of the material and the forms created are determined by the symbolism, which complements the cosmology of the people and speak to a very potent spiritual realism that have meant that its importance is secured. This paper seeks to analyze the functions of the visual culture of Olokun shrines, which is one of the most important deity in the religious pantheon. I sought to show the importance of the material in the creation of the visual culture, but also to create an awareness of this potential artistic creativity that complements the visual culture of Benin.