CONCEPTUALISM IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN ART: THE LURE TO ARTISTIC MEDIOCRITY

Abstract

Since 1917 when the French artist Marcel Duchamp paved the way for conceptual art which points up that the idea or concept behind a work takes precedent over traditional aesthetic and material concerns, there has been a process of transformative innovations and also of progressive reductions in conceptual art practice. Contemporary Nigeria art scene has witnessed its share of this dual transformation informed by the rise of Conceptualism as an idea. Today, most artists that engage in conceptual productions do so without fully grasping the whole essence of conceptualism. This has led to the criticism of some works as being totally weak and lacking in idea and execution. This paper examines the pros and cons associated with the rise of conceptualism in contemporary Nigerian art circle, the escapist approach adopted by some artist in the guise of conceptualism. It also proffers the way forward in fostering more conceptual concepts