Afrocentric vision
and Nigerian heritage

Artist Statement

Tobore is a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist based in Engomi, Nicosia. Working primarily in oil painting while also exploring performance, sound, photography, and sculpture, his practice examines identity, race, and the African experience. His work is deeply informed by his transition from Nigeria to Cyprus, where new cultural dynamics and perceptions of Blackness reshaped his understanding of self and society.

Driven by a desire for change, Tobore challenges stereotypes about African people and highlights both the beauty and the struggles within African communities. His process combines research, conversations, photography, and introspective nighttime walks. Symbolism is central to his visual language, drawing from African masks, cultural artifacts, and historical references.

Notable works include Iron Lady, a monochromatic red series exploring African womanhood through a lens shaped by dialogue, empathy, and the acknowledgment of his own positional limits.

Artist Biography & Practice Overview

Tobore's work spans multiple artistic disciplines. He earned his first B.A. in Fine Arts from Delta State University, Nigeria, where his research examined the impact of political instability on society. His first group exhibition took place during his final year in 2015.

In 2019, he moved to Cyprus to pursue a second B.A. in Fine Art at the University of Nicosia, expanding his practice to include sculpture and performance while continuing to produce portrait commissions. During his studies, he participated in several group exhibitions, including a 2020 student show, an NGO event with Generation for Change CY (2022), and an international‑student gathering at the University of Nicosia (2023). He also took part in multiple open‑studio exhibitions, which led to commissions from private collectors. He has now completed his second B.A. in Fine Art at the University of Nicosia.

Tobore's artistic practice explores identity, representation, and the African experience. Working primarily with oil paint and plaster, he uses symbolism, research, and photography to build narratives that challenge stereotypes and highlight the emotional and cultural depth of African communities. His work often reflects on themes of heritage, resilience, and the complexities of being seen through the lens of “the other.”

His recent solo exhibition brought together new oil paintings and drawings centered on fatherhood as a space of tenderness, strength, vulnerability, and hope. Through an expanded approach to portraiture, the works question dominant portrayals of Black masculinity and foreground emotional landscapes often overlooked in visual culture. Developed during his RELATE residency under the mentorship of Leontios Toumbouris, the series continues his inquiry into representation, memory, and identity. Curated by Evagoras Vanezis, the exhibition invited viewers to reconsider how stories of care, lineage, and resilience move across generations.