Visuality and Representation in Traditional Igbo Uli Body and Mud wall Paintings

Abstract

Igbo Uli art is a popular creative idiom in southeastern Nigeria. It serves as a decorative, ritual and cosmetic art. It does not exhibit any paradox because it has been considered as art that is aesthetically pleasing. Uli art is practiced purely by the womenfolk on human body and mud wall and based on linear configurations. The intention of Uli painting is not to create an illusionistic representation of reality. However, it is dependent on both conceptual and perceptual, which results in abstract and non- figurative representations. Uli women painters have produced a voluminous body of work widely distributed throughout Igbo land. However, there is a dearth of literature on the corpus of Uli art, hence it requires a continuous investigation and scrutiny. This study therefore provides an insight into the nature and social context of Uli body and mud wall paintings or decorations as well as their processes of execution as women community art project.