Visual Art Paper 2 (Essay) WASSCE (SC), 2017

Question 4

Write notes on Figure 1 and Figure 2 under the following:

 

  1. origin;
  2. medium;
  3. three similarities;
  4. three differences.

 

 

Observation

The candidates that attempted this question scored very well in recognition and identification of the art heads while in stating the differences and similarities they scored low marks. The candidates were expected to answer in the following way:
                       
(a)        Origin

  • Figure 1 is an art form from Benin (Nigeria).                                   
  • Figure 2 is an art form from Ife (Nigeria).                                        

(b)        Medium

  •       Both figures are made in bronze.

           
(c)        Similarities
-           Both are heads (human).
-           They are made of bronze.
-           Both have elaborate head covering.
-           They are both naturalistic.
-           Both have facial markings.
-           Both are court art.

(d)       Differences
-           They are products of different art traditions i:e Benin and Ife respectively.
-           The head coverings have different decorative patterns.
-           Figure 2 has facial scarification, while the Benin figure has short marks   above the eye brow.
-           The Benin head is oval in shape, while Ife head is round.
-           Figure 1 is a queen (female), while Figure 2 is a king (male).
-           The neck of Figure 1 is thin, while that of Figure 2 is thick.