OKIJA (the ritualist) Painting

Adekunle Gafar is a Lagos-based Nigerian artist and the originator of the "HYBRIDISM" style - an expressive fusion of African traditional iconography with Western expressionism. With a career spanning over two decades. His medium ranges from oil paint, gloss paint, gouache, crayon, conte, charcoal, pencil, acrylic, pastel and digital Arts. He has additional skills photography, video production, visual effects, 3D design and animation. He has worked as a lead animator, visual effect artist, film editor, producer and director. He has been awarded a financial grant by the Tony Elumelu Foundation and a Scholarship by Diamond Bank. He is the convener of 'Art of Our Culture' the foremost educational art exhibition in Nigeria in collaboration with the prestigious enterprise development centre of the pan Atlantic university, Lagos Business School. Core Themes and Artistic Value: Gafar's works explore raw emotional states like guilt, attraction, and fear while reflecting post-colonial African narratives and urban Nigerian life. His symbolic use of masks, bold colors, and distorted figures encourages deep viewer reflection, making his pieces both culturally and intellectually valuable. Market Position and Investment Potential: His works, offered both as originals and prints on platforms like Saatchi Art, remains accessible to mid-range collectors. His hybrid African style, social commentary, and growing international visibility place him amongst Nigeria's promising contemporary artists. Visibility: He has been featured on TV, radio, several prominent newspapers and digital media.