DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2015.v03i03.014

Pages: 681-691

The paper discusses theme as related to various art Schools in Nigeria. Themes in painting are associated with the training acquired in various art schools in Nigeria. Through careful observation of paintings by their themes in some art schools in Nigeria, there are those that represent cultural or mythology, nature, day to day activities and almost everything in life and other imagination which become theme for a painting. However, there are some painting themes which have enticed the artists and admirers for ages. Five schools were selected across different geographical location in Nigeria. They are: Zaria School, Yaba School, Nsukka School, Ife School and Auchi School. A total of 500 paintings were randomly selected from graduates of the schools, out of which 50 paintings which constitutes ten percent (10%) were examined to know the uniqueness of their themes as associated with the philosophy inherent in the selected schools. However, the themes of painting in Nigeria art school focuses on issues relating to cultural issues or mythology, nature and day to day activities of the people. It was observed that most of the themes in Nigeria paintings are of daily activities of the people (76%). It was also discovered that many students of various art school follows the trend of curriculum in their school for development of themes in their painting.