Red 6 2022

Monica Ikegwu’s "Red 6" is a study in monochrome, painted with incredible detail. The whole picture shimmers in shades of red, like the afterimage you get when you close your eyes really tight. The artist isn’t afraid to get in there with the brush, really working the paint to bring out the subtle nuances of the subject’s face. Look at the way Ikegwu handles the hair, how each strand seems to catch the light, even though it’s all in this reddish hue. It’s a testament to the artist's skill, layering and blending to create depth and dimension. Then, notice the small earring, a tiny spark of darkness against all that red. It’s this attention to detail that makes the painting so captivating. Thinking about the history of portraiture, you can see how Ikegwu is in conversation with artists like Van Dyck, but she's really doing her own thing. The painting leaves you with more questions than answers, and that’s what makes it so exciting.