EXPLORATION OF CAMEL AND COW BONES AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEDIUM OF EXPRESSION IN SCULPTURE

Material exploration has become a fixture in art production, particularly in sculpture. Artist derives academic and research satisfaction from the intentional pursuit of novel materials for sculptural piece, drawing inspiration from diverse philosophical perspectives within their immediate environment. However, the researcher has observed that much exploration seems not be observed in animal bone assemblage. In effect the study was an attempt to adopt a procedure for maceration of skull and techniques for modeling the skull into low relief, high relief, and sculpture in the round, and mix-media sculptures. Methods used in this study is studio exploration methodology. The creative use of animal skulls specifically camel and cow skull and components employed to produce variety sculpture images. The woks are both in the round and relief forms. It focused on the use of the unique anatomical structures, textural characteristics and inherent aesthetic potentials of these skulls. The study revealed that animal skull can be clinically treated and used as a medium of expression in sculpture through carving techniques such as cutting/slicing, engraving drilling and assemblage. It was observed that during the study technique and method employed were able to produce sculptural works like “Motherhood passion”, “Exodus”, “Political Thieves”, “Awon
Amuludun”. It was therefore recommended that other animal skull bones and bone parts should be explored to produce sculptural artworks based on the unique inherent qualities observed in the skull of camel and cow. It was also envisaged that this study would serve as a source of references to scholars and a source of inspiration to other artists and art critics.