SEMIO-PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF STREET ART AMONGST THE IGBO: A CASE STUDY OF OSISIOMA-ABA, ABIA STATE

This study investigates the role of street art in the narrative construction and deconstruction amongst the Igbo with focus on the Osisioma-Aba- a prominent urban business area in southeastern Nigeria. It examines how verbal and nonverbal art function to represent the social, cultural, and political realities impacting the lives of the Igbo people and also function as platforms for expressing social commentary, cultural narratives, and community solidarity. The data for this study were gathered by taking pictures of the paintings located at the Osisioma flyover. The method of data analysis used in this study is the content analysis of the images got, using the theory of socio-pragmatics. Through qualitative methods such as participant observation and interviews with local artists and community members, this research uncovers the linguistic strategies employed in these artistic expressions, and also examines how language in street art contributes to our understanding of identity formation. The result from this study underscores the strong connections between language, identity, and public expression in African urban settings, and indicate that the street art in Aba offer an essential, dynamic platform for the Igbo to develop their individual and collective identities. This study contributes to a richer understanding of how visual art forms intersect to shape communal identity in contemporary Igbo society.