Twice 2019

Editor: So, here we have Monica Ikegwu’s “Twice,” created in 2019. It's a painting, and I am really drawn to her thoughtful expression. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, it whispers a story of introspection, doesn't it? The hand on the chin, the steady gaze...there's a contemporary edge, that bold green and the leather jacket, juxtaposed against a classic portrait feel. Almost as if she is asking: what does it mean to be “twice” someone? Are we ever really seen? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it like that – what “Twice” implies. I was just sort of focusing on her cool aesthetic, the greens, and the realism. Curator: Realism, yes, but a realism tinged with something...dreamlike? That backdrop, it swirls like a thought. Think about the old masters, how they used fabric to create drama. Is she a modern muse reflecting the dreams and struggles of a new era? Editor: The dreams and struggles, yeah…it's almost like she’s staring *us* down, making *us* think. I suppose that title plays into that too, huh? The double meaning? Curator: Exactly! Perhaps the artist intended to give her portrait more complexity, or the idea of existing on many levels at the same time, just like any individual can display multiple attributes. Now, the pose… does that remind you of other historical portraits? Editor: Hmm, not off the top of my head… but now I’m going to be looking for those references everywhere! Thanks! Curator: That's the magic of art, isn't it? One piece leads you to a thousand others. It is food for thought for days!