Zion 

Alfred Conteh's portrait, Zion, is rendered with acrylic and graphite, enriched by the luster of gold leaf. Conteh combines fine art techniques with the sensibility of a craftsman. Conteh’s material choices deepen the portrait’s emotional resonance. The acrylic and graphite create a layered effect, giving the face a sculptural presence. The smooth application of gold leaf provides a contrasting backdrop, almost like a halo. The gold here evokes traditional religious iconography, but in this case the subject is a young man with a direct, dignified gaze. The use of gold leaf as a background illuminates the way in which the artist emphasizes the cultural significance and intrinsic value of his subject. By elevating the individual depicted, Conteh challenges conventional hierarchies within both art and society. It is a work rich with both technique and meaning, inviting viewers to reconsider the boundaries of fine art and craft.