UNDERSTANDING THE TECHNOLOGY OF PRODUCING DECORATIVE BRASS SCULPTURE: A STUDY OF MUSULUMATU MARQUETTE

Abstract

This study focuses on the technology of brass casting sculpture depicted in culture and religion. Art, culture, and religion are inseparable because they co-exist from the creation and inception of man. Almighty God is a Great and Dynamic Artist, He moulded human beings in His image as recorded in the Holy Bible and the Quran. Based on this, the concept of a Muslim woman was used for this study. This study reiterates that artists strive towards expressing their inner emotions or feelings to mirror society, irrespective of culture, religion, taboo, law, and superstition. It is qualitative research that throws more light on the characteristics of a Muslim woman, such as covering of the body and head with a scarf or hijab, and other forms of head covering. A descriptive approach was used, primary data were collected and analysed through observation during the process of clay modelling, plaster of Paris, different metals, and scraps melted together. Secondary data are grounded in academic journals and books in both hard and electronic copies, while self-determination theory (SDT) and skill acquisition theory (SAT) guided the study. The findings suggest that beauty exists in other people's culture and religion, which has been adopted in Nigeria. Hence, the finished work in brass or bronze is a long, difficult, and painstaking exercise. The recommendations suggest that the government should provide materials and tools for the execution of bronze casting in all the tertiary institutions that offer Fine and Applied Arts - Sculpture, especially. The curriculum planner should make bronze casting compulsory in the Fine and Applied Arts curriculum of the tertiary institutions. This will enhance students' sculpture (bronze casting) skills and knowledge without extra efforts or cost outside the school system.