Visual Art and Role in Communication

Abstract

Visual art plays a very crucial role in communication and often act as an alternative to other languages. While language communicates through words, visual art does it through forms, shapes lines and colours. Visual art language can be perceived via forms, symbols, signs, designs, colours, textures, lines, etc. The nature of visual art and its role in the society have been subjected to various interpretations. Some view visual art as a kind of personal therapy, others as a vehicle of political expression and a catalyst for social and political change. All these are forms of communication and they contain the same truth as a language. Today, in Nigeria, visual art instruction has been so narrowed down in the school curriculums, such that the subject is no longer regarded as an important school subject. This, in effect, diminishes the importance of visual art in the Nigerian society and thus limits its appreciation as a communication tool. The aim of this study is therefore to showcase the importance of visual art, as a means of communication and ready tool for mass mobilization. The same way spoken or written words are used as a means of communication, visual art likewise perform similar functions in communication.