Cap 2021

Monica Ikegwu made this oil painting, called *Cap*, with precise attention to detail. Imagine her at work, perhaps with a reference photo, trying to capture the light and shadows on the figure’s face, the soft texture of her jacket, and how the dark cap shields her eyes. I’m drawn to how Ikegwu has created such a vibrant and compelling composition from a limited palette of blues and browns. I especially like the way she has rendered the texture of the jacket with individual brushstrokes, making it almost feel touchable, and how the figure’s gaze seems to suggest a story. I wonder about the subject’s personality, what they might be thinking or feeling in this moment. I love to see emerging artists like Ikegwu in conversation with painting traditions, taking what they need and adding their own voice and style to the mix. Painting is this ongoing dialogue, where artists borrow, remix, and respond to each other’s work, building on the collective knowledge and history of the medium.