FOREWORD
I am delighted to write the foreword to the maiden edition of the Journal of Art and Design. The birth of this journal marks a mile stone of historical importance in the academic development of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts in the University of Maiduguri. The journal marks a significant step towards making people understand the discipline more. The publication of the journal will provide an outlet for research reports, dissemination of knowledge and addition to the stock of recent reference materials for academic purposes.
The choice of the title of the journal was informed by the symbolic relationship between the visual and the performing arts. The boundaries between different forms of expression in the visual and the performing arts have become less defined over the years. Dance and drama are closely related, so are music and movement, the visual arts and music and so on. Based on this the Journal of Art and Design emerged so that readers can be able to see the common elements in visual and performing arts. They will discover that all of them are involved in creativity; observation; arrangement of forms, shapes, objects and ideas; examination of relationship between forms, objects and ideas; training of the senses (see, hear, touch); imagination; communication and practice of what is learnt. These concepts and ideas are parts of the philosophy and objectives of education in Nigeria.
The maiden edition of the journal therefore presents articles on the visual arts; the arts we see, feel and appreciate visually like painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, textile design and graphics. The journal also welcomes articles on the performing arts like music, dance, drama, television and film production. The issues addressed in the papers are generated from both studio and theoretical research works or intelligent literary discussions. As maiden issue, the diversity of the contributors may appear localized. This is normal and was not intentional. It could be because of the limited coverage of information about the journal. The papers in this edition however represent a true or correct reflection of the expected responses from contributors. It is hoped that as the journal becomes better known contributors will come from a wider academic coverage and geographical spread.
I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Head of Department, Dr. C.Y. Mtaku, Dr. Talatu and the entire members of the editorial board for making the publication of this journal possible. I invite scholars to write on art and culture, studio art practices, art pedagogy, art history, drama, music, television, film production and any related issues. I expect high standard works from writers; works which will extend knowledge and value of art and design in Nigeria.
A. A. Mbahi
Professor of Art Education and Editor-in-Chief
