METAL ART WORK (CREATIVITY AT HIS BEST)

Ancient civilizations like the Noks in the north central zone, world renowned for their terracotta works were skilled at smelting and casting iron at about the same period of the iron age Asia and Europe.

In many Nigerian communities, skilled blacksmiths have plied their trade for centuries, producing fine art pieces and a variety of other items for domestic use. Brass, bronze, copper, and iron are some of the materials used by Nigerians metal craftsmen who have managed to keep the local market alive despite the drastic decline in the export of their wares know recent times.

The rainforest regions of southern Nigerians, bronze was a commonly used metal. Benin, oyo, ife and nri, all medieval kingdoms which flourished variously across parts of presents day southern Nigeria, have histories of the extensive use of bronze or other alloys in crafting utensils, weapons and artwork.

The art of ife the cradle of Yoruba civilizations and Benin arguably the most famous of Nigeria ancient kingdoms, we're similarly cast in bronze or brass by masterful use of the lost wax (cire perfume) technique of metal casting. Some of the original pieces of art from this era still available on display in museums all over the world. The level of skill and craftsmanship which made the artwork of earlier civilizations world famous has declined over the years, but the prevalence of metal casting has spread to several parts of the nation.

Metal work is thus a hugely popular occupation across the country Nigeria though it is yet to attract the level of investment capable of lifting the industry from the current subsistence level to becoming a major contributor to the national GDP. Depending on locally available materials, output range from wrought iron furniture, metal sculptures, household utensils like pots, knife, spoon and local farming tools like hoes and axes, and beautiful jewelry fashioned in gold and other precious metals.

Today metal work is commonly practice in Nigeria in parts of abia, adamawa, akwa ibom, anambra, benue, borno, delta, kaduna, nasarawa, Niger, ogun, imo and my home town Edo state, I call it home of art works.

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