Wood-off-cuts as a creative resource: A metaphorical reflection on “The Ruler and The Ruled” sculpture project

Abstract

As a process-oriented studio exploration, “The Ruler and the Ruled” is a generic name of a body of work that engages a joinery method to upcycle wood-off-cuts. It creates visual imagery that metaphorically interprets the consequences of Nigeria’s socio-political settings. Genesis of Disintegration is an art piece selected for discussion. It conceptually addresses the plights of the downtrodden. The use of wood offcuts effectively exploits upcycle in a creative interpretation of joinery processes distinct as practised by other artists. This reflection attempts to validate how wood offcuts form part of the ongoing dialogue of the downtrodden. Focusing on joinery and its aesthetic effects, emerging forms are metaphorically interpreted while their formal features are conceptually analyzed using theories and models of visual social semiotics. Significant socio-political issues were raised that addressed the plight of the downtrodden and its implications.