CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study.

The history of murals and mural paintings is rich and varied considering
examples from the prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux, France, to the
ceremonial murals of ancient Egypt, Rome, Mesopotamia, Greece, India
and many others. According to art historians, mural painting dates back at
least 30,000 years to cave paintings. Other historians credit the Minoans
and the Etruscans. Some of this impressive works have been preserved by
the very caves in which they inhabit. These ancient murals, which vary
from civilization to civilization and culture to culture, typically depict the
activities of a particular civilization, encapsulating scenes from hunting,
food gathering, family life, to religious and funerary activities. Many
murals in the Tibetan world both ancient and contemporary are created as
part of meditative and reflective Buddhist practices. During the Baroque
period in France, Germany and England, rich art patrons and royalty had
Biblical and allegorical compositions of murals painted on the ceilings of
their luxurious homes and palaces. Today, murals are painted in a variety of
traditional and non-traditional ways using oils or water based media with
varied styles ranging from abstract to trompe l‟oeil (a French word for trick
the eye). Also, painting has taken different dimension in relevance,
styles,techniques and philosophy into consideration. Certainly, murals have
a dramatic impact on the attitude of viewers. This is due to the depiction of
everyday life and certain subjects or ideologies which viewers take a keen
interest in. Furthermore, the presence of large murals adds emotional
 quality to the daily lives of those who have the privilege of viewing it.

In some Ghanaian communities, paintings are not commonly found on both

public and private buildings. This is because people do not have a clear
understanding of paintings and its effects. Apart from beautifying the
interior and exterior parts of the buildings, paintings are also use to carry
educative messages and directions to the general public. They also have
aesthetic and therapeutic values that go a long way to enhance human
living.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Mural paintings are good for aesthetic and therapeutic communications and
significance. The library of Atlantic Hall of UCC is very busy beacuse of
student academic presure. This has a serious impact on the the individual.
They need some pictures that can calm them down whiles they study to
relief stress and get them going in their studies . The researchers therefore
seek to explore abstract npainting as art therapy in the library.

1.3 Objectives
i. To identify, and obtain tools and materials, pieces of data, and cartoon
characters for the project.

• To draw, compose and paint selected abstract idea.

• To write a report on the project.

1.4 Significance of the study

i. The paintings will enhance the space of the Atlantic Hall library

ii. The paintings will serve as a therapy for the student.

1.4 Delimitation (Scope)
The project is limited to the mural painting for student who visit the library
of Atlantic Hall of UCC.