Fraternal 2018

Monica Ikegwu painted this captivating portrait, Fraternal, with what looks like oil paint. I see the artist layering shades of gray with a muted lilac, particularly in the background. It’s as if she laid down the wallpaper first and then the figures. The girl’s hand resting on the boy’s shoulder is full of grace. I can imagine her, the artist, stepping back, squinting at the canvas, then leaning in again, making small adjustments to the folds of the clothes, and the slight angle of the heads. I'm thinking about Alice Neel, and how she captured something about the subjects' inner selves, with her portraits. I’m sure Monica is in conversation with her. As artists we're always having a chat through time, learning from, and building on, the work of those who came before us. Monica’s realism creates a powerful emotional impact, making you want to know more about the sitters. It’s as if the painting has a life of its own, telling us something, but also keeping secrets.