Benin-born artist Adaboba compares the state of art in West Africa and in Europe. Adaboba observes that the realism popular in Europe is not common among West African artists. John T. Biggirs argues that contemporary art in the West is heavily influenced by West African art and other indigenous artistic traditions. Adaboba also oberves that in Europe, artists typically learn art at formal institutions, whereas in West Africa, art is typically more self-taught.