Shyheem 2020

Editor: Here we have Monica Ikegwu’s 2020 piece, "Shyheem," an acrylic painting. The figure’s warm skin tones contrast with a muted greenish background. What jumps out to me is how realistically the artist captured the textures of the hair and beard, making it look so touchable! What do you see in this portrait? Curator: From a materialist perspective, I am drawn to the medium itself – acrylic on canvas. Ikegwu’s choice speaks to the accessibility and versatility of acrylics, a relatively modern medium when considering the history of portraiture. Acrylics level the playing field; what was once exclusive to those who could afford oil paints and specialized training is now widely available. How does this impact the perceived value of the art? Editor: That's a cool insight! So the affordability influences the context and how we perceive value. But do you think the very smooth finish minimizes this element? It looks so smooth and the choice of plain backdrop minimizes distractions. Curator: Precisely. Think about the labor involved in preparing the canvas, mixing the paints, and the repetitive brushstrokes required to achieve that realism. Isn't the time an implicit comment about valuing this labour that can then disrupt these art historical ideas around hierarchies of genre? Editor: That is a perspective I never considered! The labor element is fascinating; perhaps this artwork pushes the boundary between "high art" and something more quotidian. Curator: Consider too, the subject, “Shyheem”. Ikegwu highlights a Black male subject with tremendous detail and care. That very choice challenges a canonized Eurocentric history that often omits or marginalizes such representation. Editor: So you’re saying that the careful attention to the Black male sitter using easily obtainable paints represents labor, access, and visibility. It sort of subverts a grand tradition by being intimate and accessible. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for that moving forward! Curator: Indeed. Art is never divorced from the materials and methods employed in its creation. They often speak volumes!