Red 5 2021

Monica Ikegwu made this small, intense portrait, "Red 5," using oils. The painting style feels so contemporary, but also almost classical, like an early study for a larger work. The whole image shimmers in shades of red, with a smooth, almost airbrushed surface that still somehow manages to show the canvas texture underneath. Her mouth is such a focal point! It is so luscious, with highlights that really pop against the darker shading of the lips themselves. The way the red deepens into shadow reminds me of Auerbach’s portraits, where the color seems to sculpt the face. Ikegwu’s painting feels part of an ongoing conversation about portraiture, about how we see and represent each other. And it embraces the ambiguity of identity, offering a glimpse rather than a definitive statement.