Northern Setting

Born in 1882, Aina Onabolu was a pioneer modernist in Nigerian art and is generally considered the father of modernism in Nigerian artdue to his service and advocacy for the formalization of art education across different levels in the nation.

The northern part of Nigeria is known for its dry lands due to its proximity to the Sahara Desert. Northern setting brings to mind a lot of significant imageries; from the grazing animals to the clustered houses and from the passers-by to the rocks and the sky. The clustered houses bring to mind the unity among the northerners of Nigeria. The grazing animals tells of the good pastures of northern Nigeria despite the dry grounds in some parts. In line with Onabolu's painting style of the time, this painting shows two human figures probably returning from the farm after the day's work which shows the profound northern culture of hard work. His palette of earth brown colors successfully gives the painting a desert and northern look.