Rafiy Okefolahan’s work is an explosion of colour and form. It captivates the eye and awakens the senses. Each stroke brings its own jolt, each line its own story. Each brushstroke seems to dance across the canvas, creating a vibrant, dynamic image. The artist transports us into a world where emotion and energy blend harmoniously. Rafiy Okefolahan’s painting is much more than a simple work of art; it is a visual symphony that resonates with the conscience. The last secrets that the canvas hides are more delicate to detect. It is only once we understand the artist’s past that we can embrace these works in their integrity.
Early Life and Influences
Rafiy Okefolahan’s journey starts in Porto Novo, Benin. At first, he was raised by his biological parents. Due to an unstable family situation he was eventually adopted by his cousin’s family. Growing up in a demanding environment, he temporarily left home, which turned out to be a phase in his artistic growth. During those years, the artist had the opportunity to interact with a group of artists which gave him his initial understanding of art. This unique path he embarked on greatly nurtured his sensibility. However, everything changed when he crossed paths with KIKOKO, an artist from Togo. This encounter became a turning point that propelled Rafiy into a chapter of his artistic journey. Up until then Rafiy was accustomed to using brushes, for painting in the way. Nevertheless, under KIKOKO’s guidance and mentorship he underwent a learning experience where he mastered the use of palette knives and scrapers of relying solely on brushes.
Philosophy
Having grown up in an environment and being a member of two families, with different traditions, different religion, different practices, the artist found great inspiration in the richness of his surroundings. This inspiration sparked his curiosity, which serves as the motivation behind his creations. Drawing from a fusion of beliefs and cultural influences his paintings stand as a testament, to the impact that voodoo has had on both his style and creative process. The essence of voodoo is intricately woven into every aspect of his work, he approaches it like a practice working on the ground like fetishists and using colour symbolically as an offering. While his artistic philosophy is deeply personal, his paintings tell a story that encompasses not his own experiences but also layers of history and culture.
Artistic Evolution and Milestones
After years of refining his artistic identity Rafiy Okefolahan took a leap, towards gaining recognition by moving to Paris to showcase his paintings. Of following the paths, he chose to personally approach art galleries deviating from the conventional methods. In an encounter in October 2009 he crossed paths with Alexandre Lazarew, a figure who propelled him into the European art scene. Okefolahan confidently introduced himself. Initiated a conversation that eventually led to Lazarew acquiring all of his paintings. This marked the start of an enduring collaboration with Okefolahan’s artwork prominently displayed in Lazarew’s gallery, up until today. As a result, Okefolahan’s art has been featured in exhibitions across Paris and Europe establishing his presence and garnering acclaim, within the artistic landscape of the continent.
Exploration of medium and technique
According to Rafiy Okefolahan, an artist is constantly driven to create. To push their boundaries in this pursuit artists sometimes detach themselves from their lives. Seek solitude, where the true essence of creativity emerges. During this process Rafiy places great importance on colours. For him red symbolizes the power of the sun, green reflects the vitality of plants and white is represented with the texture of akassa mixed, with water. However, his artistic exploration extends beyond colours; he also possesses an awareness of his surroundings. Indeed, the artist’s work is deeply influenced by the events he encountered. In environments such, as actuality and the dynamic actions happening around them. This influence is clearly depicted in his paintings, where he intricately incorporate telephone numbers and names into the canvases drawing inspiration from the traditions of Benin. This approach does not only make him a skilled colourist but a perceptive observer and a matierist. In his journey Rafiy goes beyond tools and incorporates natural elements into his artwork. Earth, sand and rust play roles. They are eventually joined by unexpected additions such as coffee brands. This integration of materials adds layers of meaning, to his expressions and enriches his work.
Conclusion
Rafiy Okefolahans artistic growth is influenced by a range of factors. He draws inspiration from experiences, Beninese traditions, experimentation and the people, around him. His artistic journey takes him to the crossroads of solitude and inspiration where colours become channels for expressing his perceptions. Okefolahan’s art captures the essence of his environment. It also reflects the dynamic interplay, between his personal expression and the collective stories of a culturally vibrant heritage. While this article refers to Rafiy Okefolahan as an artist he challenges categorization. According to him truly defining oneself as an artist remains elusive until he crafts his interpretation of the term. For Okefolahan discovering his understanding of what it means to be an artist is an exploration suggesting that a conventional label may not fully encompass the depth of his creative identity.
References
https://www.wylagency.fr/en/rafiy-okefolahan
https://fahrenheitmagazine.com/en/modern-art/plastics/rafiy-okefolahan-and-the-colors-inspired-by-the-spirits
https://babel-voyages.com/fr/rafiy-okefolahan-le-vodou-et-toutes-les-religions-se-rejoignent-autour-de-lamour
https://actu.fr/occitanie/montpellier_34172/montpellier-une-exposition-inedite-sur-l-art-contemporain-africain-a-l-arbre-blanc_60242659.html
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafiy_Okefolahan
Images references
https://www.artsy.net/artist/rafiy-okefolahan
https://www.artsper.com/lu/oeuvres-d-art-contemporain/peinture/1360878/sans-titre
