Yoruba Adire Signs as a Method of Communication in Contemporary Art Practice in Diaspora Africa
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Oyebode, Samuel Idowu
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Nettleton, Anitra
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2019
GENERAL NOTES
Text of Note
88 p.
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
M.Tech.
Body granting the degree
University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
Text preceding or following the note
2019
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Conceptually, this research synthesises the Yoruba iwa l ewa philosophical concept with that of ubuntu, a moral philosophy in South African society. I argue in this dissertation that iwa l ewa and ubuntu are traditional knowledge systems that buttress the objectives of African humanist philosophy. Furthermore, I argue that an African humanism and communalism emphasises human relationships and communication in African society. This has been a challenge for people born in South Africa dealing with migrants, born elsewhere in Africa, living in the country. I argue that the recurrent incidents of xenophobic violence in urban South Africa, betray the objectives of African humanist philosophy. This study focuses on visual art as a tool to rebuild and reconstruct a communalist spirit in African humanist philosophy in South African society and other African countries. I examine the work of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui (b. 1944) and Nigerian-born painter Moyosore Okediji (b. 1956) as examples of contemporary African artists who draw on traditional materials and well as their personal philosophies and the societies in which they were born, and live today. Finally, I analyse my own art practice which consists of four series. My body of work supports the humanism philosophy and fight against xenophobic violence in South African society.