Abstract:
Any student of art who has attended an art institute of higher learning has had to grapple with the demands of drawing the nude human figure as a course. Often after the first year class only students of painting or sculpture, continued this practice. All others move onto other sources of inspirations for their art works. The paper argues, that the socio-cultural context of Ghana demands a revisit of this particular aspect of art training. That although some cultural practices involve semi-nude figures, yet public display of nudity, is generally frowned upon. That very few Ghanaian professional artists actually portray or exhibit nude figures in their works. This negates the need for detailed study of the nude as a rule. At best, it would be a specialisation for those who intend entering such fields that require it. An Action research approach was used on a purposive sample of Higher National Diploma students at level 100. Their responses to a questionnaire was analysed by the 20th Version of the Statistical Product and Services Solutions applicable to views and opinions in qualitative research. Although the results of the limited review do confirm thesis, yet as an action research paradigm, the authors are making a case more on the subjective socio-cultural aspects and effects of the practice rather than on the quantitative results to call for a change.
