No Victor No Vanquished

In the canvas before us, the evocative tableau of the last day of Biafra is rendered with a visceral intensity that demands attention. The artist, in a grand-scale symphony of pain, history, and reflection, captures the tumultuous essence of the Nigerian Civil War’s closing chapter. The central figure stands as an embodiment of resolve amidst chaos, a silent sentinel bearing witness to the swirling maelstrom of destruction and loss that encircles him.

The darkness that envelops the scene is pierced by the stark, almost tangible sorrow in the eyes of the men and women that populate this inferno. Every brushstroke carries the weight of history, every hue a testament to the suffering endured. The flag, partially obscured in the top right corner, serves as a poignant reminder of a nation's dreams, now smoldering in the twilight of its last day.

Burning figures, etched in the dance of flames, encapsulate the ferocity of a conflict that consumed lives and hopes alike. Symbols of Nsibidi script lace the composition, whispering stories of a culture rich and deep, its voice almost drowned out by the cacophony of conflict. Yet, these symbols stand resilient, an indelible mark of identity amidst the wreckage.

This painting is more than a visual archive; it is a confrontation with silence, a challenge to the collective amnesia that often shrouds such chapters of history. It is a clarion call for reconciliation, a plea to recognize and accept the raw truth of the past to foster healing. In acknowledging the scars of history, the artist invites us to ponder, to learn, and to hopefully find a path forward, away from the cyclical tragedies of human conflict.

Through this work, the artist not only translates the colossal narrative of Biafra’s last day into a sensory chronicle but also imbues it with a personal odyssey of understanding, a journey through the annals of a time marred by anguish. It is his largest canvas, yet its true magnitude lies in its profound capacity to move, to disturb, and to provoke a dialogue long overdue.