International Journal of Applied Science and Research 1 www.ijasr.org Copyright © 2022 IJASR All rights reserved VISUAL ART EXHIBITION: A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL UNIFICATION IN NIGERIA IDIBEKE AMOS JOHN Ph.D Department of Fine and Industrial Arts, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. & SUNDAY ETIM EKWERE Ph.D Department of Fine and Industrial Arts, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. & PROFESSOR EDEM ETIM PETERS Department of Fine Arts and Design, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria DOI: https://doi.org/10.56293/IJASR.2022.5401 IJASR 2022 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 4 JULY – AUGUST ISSN: 2581-7876 Abstract: This paper attempts a definition of the term exhibition with particular attention to Visual Art Exhibition, knowing that there are different forms of exhibitions that may not relate to visual arts. The paper equally highlighted on the various types of exhibitions pointing out the virtual exhibition as a new inclusion that has greatly changed the traditional format of visual art exhibition with its attendant impact on the outcome of the results of exhibitions. The highlighted focuses on the challenges of understanding the scope of the basic types of exhibition in contemporary times, as has been redefined by the concept of virtual exhibition. The relevance of exhibition to artists and the significance to the public is deeply discussed with the aim of positioning visual art exhibition in its rightful place as a catalyst for social change. This assertion could be seen in the significant effort of Kenneth C. Murray as a pioneer curator and organizer of visual art exhibition in Nigeria. Murray was a British Art Teacher in Nigeria who was instrumental to the establishment of Oron Museum in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and he recognized Oron Carvings since 1938 and collected them for permanent art exhibition in the Oron Museum. The above therefore formed the conceptual framework of this paper. The opinions, positions and oppositions of other authorities in this matter are considered as they form the indices for postulating the idea of art exhibition as catalyst for social unification. However, the paper concludes that for the visual art exhibition to function as a catalyst for social unification, the elements of unity and integration must be factors the exhibitions composed of, for it to engender the expression of such feelings of social togetherness. Keywords: Visual Arts, Catalyst, Social Unification, Virtual Exhibition, Contemporary times. INTRODUCTION Exhibition in general terms is a presentation or display of items for viewership, either by the public or private individuals. It could be items of culture, arts, educational or historical values. The essence of such presentation or display is to create a platform for people to interact with the items so displayed. For the purpose of this paper, exhibition will be viewed with specific focus on visual arts in Nigeria. The concept of exhibition has partially assumed a pre-cast notion of being majorly an art event. It is common knowledge to classify exhibition as predominantly as an art term only. Even if this were to be true, there is nothing wrong in the visual art allocating to itself a concept it has total monopoly. Visual art exhibition therefore, is concern with the display of finished or perceived to be finished art products for public viewing. The idea of an artwork being finished is solely the responsibility of the artist based on the conceived message of the artist as a creator. Visual art exhibition being a display for public consumption equally satisfies multiple function of providing the viewing public with content for their viewing pleasure, education and critical appraisal. In the same vein, visual art exhibition especially in Nigeria and perhaps the world over affords the artist the avenue to ventilate his inner creative energies for public participation. This notion is what Udosen (2018) stated when he said that exhibition “offers artists the rare opportunity to indulge in modest self -adulation”. It creates for the artists, that altar of self - praise, although often times most of the praises comes from the viewers.