An Adaptation of Tropical Plant Leaves as Motif for Sculptural Furniture Production in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the prospect of plucking plant leaves from the vast tropical rain forests of south-eastern Nigeria, then drawing their natural features artistically into stylized motifs. The motifs which are research drawings or designs were subsequently produced via sculptural process to become sculptural furniture pieces with the anticipation of countering the foreign furniture importation calculus. The setback of not emphasizing local content, innovation and technology in the production of furniture in Nigeria which affects the Nigerian economy adversely is a challenge which this research project examined. The research interrogated the possibility of these research designs being functional, and if the research designs could incorporate cultural identity/input and add value to the national drive for inclusion of local content for cultural development and economic gains. The research methodology used for this project involved both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The substantive findings of this research study indicated that the research designs/productions for sculptural furniture are acceptable as artistic production. Local content is expressed in these research productions and cultural identities are inputted in the research productions. The research designs are functional and fit as utilitarian works to challenge the imported artistic productions of the Orients and the Westerners. In conclusion, the study proved that tropical plant leaves could be adapted as motif for sculptural furniture and consequently significant and recommended that the research gains could impact sculptors, add value to Nigeria's gross domestic product (GPD), as the national wealth base could be broadened and economic expansion stimulated by the encouragement and support of this genre of creative arts.