Mi DFu Pa 2022

Cornelius Annor painted this piece, Mi DFu Pa, but we don't know exactly when or where. Look closely at the patterns, how they define the space and clothing. The artist has built up the image from these patterned areas, it's a process of accumulation, of layering different textures and colors. The painting's surface is rich with detail. The floral patterns on the wall and the figures' clothing are meticulously rendered. And yet the paint itself is applied in a way that feels direct, almost naive. This tension between detail and simplicity gives the piece its unique charm. Think about the floor, the thick, almost gloopy orange paint and the way it contrasts with the flat blue backdrop. It’s a bold choice that creates a kind of visual vibration. I'm reminded of the work of Njideka Akunyili Crosby, who also uses pattern and collage to explore themes of identity and belonging. Like Crosby, Annor invites us to consider how the personal and the political intertwine in the everyday. Ultimately, this painting embraces the beauty of ambiguity, offering a glimpse into a world that is both familiar and strange.