Boniface Okafor: The Nigerian Surrealist Painter

Very little has been written on Surrealism in Nigerian art. While I may not trace any historical origin of this practice in Nigeria, I will concentrate on the art of one singular individual – Boniface Okafor. In this essay, therefore, I approach Surrealism from its Western origin and then take on the art of Okafor as a veritable exemplar of his Western counterparts. I show that Okafor, a former member of the Aka group of exhibiting artists, was a strong artist who reveled in the esoteric. His art resonates with critical thematic and formalistic attributes that provide cue for understanding some hidden aspects of human existence. Basing my essay on the Nigerian environment, I show that as a mystic artist, he may have been misunderstood for his strong attachment to his art and world views. I also hint at the fact that most of his works are often bifurcated along the lines of religion and mystery.