Art and Its Personifying Functional Power: The Okpenshi example

Abstract

Over time, the value of art has shifted with age and culture. The meaning or significance of some art objects have also either shifted or has become obliterated. The Okpenshi of Awka-Igbo cosmology, a highly significant visual expressive medium of the people, has not only shifted in value, but has also become obsolete in function, to the peril of its rich cultural paternity. This paper examines the Okpenshi in the light of its cultural value among the Awka-Igbo people in order to highlight its personifying functional power. The study employs oral interviews, library and ethnographic studies. It observes in Okpenshi, that art which has been produced by a certain generation need to survive in order to be appreciated in the context of its cultural value and to be available for future generations to study. The study recommends that for culture and artistic traditions to be preserved, the local environment should not be destructive to artworks either by omission or commission, while the use of durable materials of production by the artists should be encouraged.