ALLEGORICAL SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION IN THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS: USING THE EAGLE AS A CONCEPT

Authors

  • Ephraim Ugochukwu Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Bolaji Ogunwo Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
  • Egwu Ifeanyi Ogbonnia Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Alex Ekwueme Federal University NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Nefertiti Nneoma Emezue Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Alex Ekwueme Federal University NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Stephen Oshiomah Aigbonoga Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities Alex Ekwueme Federal University NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Abdullahi Lawal Department of Theatre Arts Faculty of Humanities Alex Ekwueme Federal University NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Otuu Ogobuchi Idam Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Alex Ekwueme Federal University NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Chinatu Regina Obiukwu Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, Faculty of Humanities Alex Ekwueme Federal University NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State Nigeria
  • Chinelo Rophina Obiukwu Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages Faculty of Humanities Alex Ekwueme Federal University NDUFU-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i1.2026.7579

Keywords:

Allegorical, Representation, Expression, Visual, Performing Arts,, Eagle

Abstract [English]

The paper examined the allegorical, symbolic representation of form in the visual and performing arts. When proverbs are used to express truth, especially when one cannot decode and sense the danger ahead, all would have been lost, the milk, like it is usually said, would have been spilt. All over the world, proverbs are used as simple idioms to express truth, based on common sense or experience. Scholars believe that proverbs are tools for thinking and communication. Proverbs are deployed as philosophy which keeps the mind in check, most times when human beings are praised, referred to as brave animal like the lion, tiger or an eagle among others, there is always this excitement, happiness or joy that over whelms and takes-over the individual, but when one is referred to as a lesser animal like goat, chicken, rat or even a cockroach for example, the reverse is always the case. The paper examined the eagle's great attributes. Some artworks can be considered to have allegorical content because they communicate in the same way as verbal metaphors. Some pertinent questions were asked, which gave rise to the creative work. Data was gathered through an exploratory conceptual study (a document-based qualitative study approach), relevant primary and secondary sources, electronic media, and other sources were consulted. This also led to solving environmental problems and enhancing the environment. The research created a three-dimensional, realistic sculpture piece of the eagle, and equally analyses the eagle and its other great attributes. The paper concludes that exploring idiomatic expressions, reading meaning into the daily use of words, could inspire more creative works.

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Published

2026-05-07

How to Cite

Ugochukwu, E., Ogunwo, B., Ogbonnia, E. I., Emezue, N. N., Aigbonoga, S. O., Lawal, A., Idam, O. O., Obiukwu, C. R., & Obiukwu, C. R. (2026). ALLEGORICAL SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION IN THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS: USING THE EAGLE AS A CONCEPT. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 7(1), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i1.2026.7579