A METAPHORIC TRANSFORMATION OF THE PAWPAW TREE INTO FEMALE FORMS IN PAINTING

ABSTRACT

The research ―A Metaphoric Transformation of the Pawpaw Tree into Female Forms in Painting‖, is anchored towards a conceptual representation of the pawpaw tree into female forms. The statement of the problem is hinged on the seemingly lack of deliberate and systematic attempt at an academic painterly study in Nigeria. The study is justified in that; the researcher affirmed the concept of Morton Luise (1983) which states that ―Art is idea based‖. The aim of the study is to create paintings of female forms based on the metaphoric transformation of the pawpaw tree while the objectives are to: transform inherent aesthetic nuance of the pawpaw tree into female forms in painting, produce paintings that exhibit feminine metaphoric gestures from the pawpaw tree, exhibit the practical outcome through cataloguing, perceive and interpret the pawpaw tree subjectively through painting, Ideally conceptualise the pawpaw tree as female forms in painting. The main research technique employed in this study, is the studio exploration procedure derived from the qualitative methodology with emphasis on action research approach. It adopts the four stages of action research; (i) Ideas and Interrogation (ii) Structure, Design and Sketches (iii) Critical process/ Exploration and Development (iv)Visual Practice, Catalogue and Exhibition as recommended by Sullivan (2010). At the end of the exploration, the study observes that works inspired by the pawpaw tree forms resulted to the establishment of novel forms in painting. Hence, the study recommends that more research should be carried out through individual artistic perception on the female form, relying on all other plants and objects.