Foreword
I am delighted to write the foreword to Volume VII of the Journal of Art and Design. The birth of this journal marked a mile stone of historical importance in the academic development of the Department of Fine Arts in the University of Maiduguri. The journal marks a significant step towards making people understand the discipline more. The publication of the journal continues to 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 based of the symbiotic relationship between fine arts and industrial design. The boundaries between the similar yet different forms of expression in the fine arts and the industrial design disciplines have become less defined over the years. Based on this the Journal of Art and Design emerged so that readers can see the common elements within the two disciplines. Consequently, it will be discovered all involved in creativity; observation; arrangement of forms, shapes, objects and ideas; examination of relationship between the aforementioned elements and principles, objects and ideas; training of the senses (see, hear, touch); imagination; communication and practice of what is learnt and many more other aspects that revolve around the practice of these erstwhile disciplines. These concepts and ideas are parts of the philosophy and objectives of education in Nigeria and the larger vision behind the establishment of Maidjad.
The seventh volume of the journal therefore presents articles in the facets of fine and industrial arts/design; the arts we see, feel and appreciate visually like painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, textile design and graphics. All of these articles link to social, economic, environmental and health issues. The published works collectively explore, analysis, review and or adapt aspect of human society in relation to the arts as viable solutions or commentary to pertinent social issues. The journal continues to welcomes articles on the performing arts like music, dance, drama, television and film production as these are considered also as art of the performance kind. The issues addressed in the papers are generated from both studio and theoretical research works or intelligent literary discussions. Others are based of field research that explore natural materials for the advancement of product design with specifity to pigmentation in ceramics. Articles explore the capability and power of cartoons as tools for exaggeration, commentary, criticism and advocacy in the politics of Nigeria. Still yet articles within this volume explore the mental health benefits of art practice in psychiatric hospitals and much more.
As the seventh issue, the diversity of the contributors may appear localized; a point consulting editors have mentioned severally, a point which would and has been considered intentional and a deliberate move by the editorial team towards providing continually, accessible avenues for academics within the fields of art and design research to publish their works with the sole purpose of gaining promotions to various ranks and cadres in the Nigerian academia; it becomes imperative to reiterate that the implied localization of articles within this journals’ six year run is both not normal and not intentional. This continued pattern could be because of the limited coverage of information about the journal especially online (an aspect the editorial team is working to ratify). The papers in this edition however represent the true or correct commitment of the editorial team and the ‘localized’ contributors continued effort to the progress of arts and design education in Nigeria. It is hoped that as the journal achieves the online presence it so needs that better known contributors will come from a wider academic coverage and geographical spread.
I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Head of Department, the Editor in chief, editor and the entire members of the editorial board for sustaining the publication of this journal. 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. With the hopes that with their continued patronage, the journal will sooner or later attain the standard it aims to attain which will extend the knowledge and value of art and design in Nigeria.
Y. Mtaku (PhD)
Department of Fine Arts
University of Maiduguri
December, 2022
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