CULTURAL SYMBOLISMS OF JELILI ATIKU'S ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES

The artistic performances by Jelili Atiku have been locally and internationally commended for its strong messages and unique approach toward the treatment of social issues. In his works, Atiku uses symbolic gestures, costumes, and props (objects of art) as visual language in dealing with cultural heritage and contemporary issues with which individuals and communities are faced. The study is set out to fill observable gaps in the comprehensive analysis of the cultural symbolisms in Jelili Atiku's performances. His work has garnered attention for its provocative stance, visual impact and thematic depth. However, there is a need to delve deeper into the cultural references and symbolisms embedded in his art. Thus, decoding their real meanings. This study aimed to investigate the imbedded meanings of the cultural symbolism that Atiku features in his artistic displays/performances. The specific objectives include: to clearly identify who Jelili Atiku is, to assess the cultural symbolisms present in Jelili Atiku's artistic performances, to clearly state the meanings/references of these symbolisms in provoking social and political commentaries, to determine Jelili Atiku’s performance philosophy and techniques, to assess the impact of his performances on his audience perceptions/interpretation.The study employed a qualitative means of analyzing the performances/artworks of Atiku, using iconography, participant observation and contextual analytic methods within an art historical approach. A review of critical and scholarly literature on his works, together with multiple interviews with the artist himself were utilized. The findings of this study includes discovering the actual references and contextual meanings of cultural symbols used by Jelili Atiku in some of his performances and also pinpointing that Atiku’s performances incorporate symbols from various indigenous cultures , nations and language all over the world into his works. Especially the indigenous culture of his subject matters. The researcher recommends that Performance art be academically infused into the visual art curriculum in Nigeria’s Tertiary education offered by various art schools and fine Art teaching Universities/institutions.