Chidera 2021

Here's a striking portrait by Monica Ikegwu called 'Chidera' where blues dominate. I imagine her wrestling with this monochromatic palette, the painting coming alive through subtle tonal shifts. I can almost see her standing there, brush in hand, questioning the canvas, trying to find the perfect balance between light and shadow. The texture of the paint is smooth, almost like a glaze, creating this dreamy and contemplative atmosphere. What's going on in his head? His hand gesture is so contemporary, and yet there's this timeless quality to the portrait. You can sense Ikegwu pushing at the boundaries of portraiture, adding something new to the conversation. It shows how artists, through their own unique lens, build upon each other's work, creating an evolving language. It's this interplay of ideas that makes painting such a compelling form of expression.