Identity 3 – 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Mixed Media, African Woman, 2024

The artwork is a striking and vibrantly colorful painting that captures the viewer’s attention through its bold and dynamic use of patterns and hues. At the heart of the composition is the back view of a figure with richly dark skin and intricately styled hair adorned with four distinctive, twisted braids. The central parted hair and neatly arranged braids are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, emphasizing the textural contrast between the figure’s dark hair and the vivid backdrop. The background is a bright, eye-catching red adorned with a complex, swirling abstract pattern in complementary shades of lighter red. This background not only provides a stark contrast to the figure but also enhances the overall depth and dimensionality of the piece.

The choice of red signifies passion and energy, bringing a sense of vibrancy to the entire composition. The figure is draped in a yellow garment adorned with a delicate floral pattern, featuring green leaves and small blue flowers, adding another layer of intricate design and color contrast. The yellow garment pops against the dark skin tone and red background, creating a balanced, harmonious composition that is both visually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing.

Artistically, this work stands out due to its masterful integration of color and pattern, alongside its celebration of cultural hairstyles and garment traditions. The anonymous nature of the figure—viewed from behind—invites viewers to project their narratives onto the scene, making the artwork universally relatable while also being deeply personal. Overall, this painting is a dynamic and evocative piece that skillfully combines vibrant colors, detailed patterns, and cultural richness, producing an artwork that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Shipping Procedure
Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria
This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

About Artist
The multitalented and mixed media Artist Oluwafemi Akanmu was born in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria, in 1994, where he observed his basic and elementary education, and later went to Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (NCE) for his tertiary education, where he studied fine and applied arts. He was a practiced Art graduate with experience, and his passion for art from childhood made him choose art as a career, and all these experiences had an impact on his art transmission.

Continuous practicing Oluwafemi, the research, studying, and specialized painting and graphics Artist in college, the experience he had while working as a studio assistant at Mr Raph’s basic art studio helped him to choose his style in mixed media Art.
Most of his works showcase the ideology of life, events, day-to-day activities, past, experience, and imagination.

ARTIST STATEMENT
Through art, I especially seek to show and highlight the generous African culture and its beauty, showcasing the African black skin. While showing African culture and past events, I also narrate her ways of life and patterns.

My Art intentionally preaches hope for poor African families and homeless children by telling them hope is sure. On the other side, I also showcase the setup of an African home filled with hope that surrounds them. As for a native artist from a humble background and modern education, my mood is engaged in the life situations of real black people.

My artistic practice is announced by the image that shows the paramount foundations of love, hope, nature, culture, rites, traditions, courage, humility, and calmness. I can say that my art covers still life, portraiture, nature, and abstracts. Etc.

My Painting is inspired by my unquenched passion for preserving and projecting the African culture to the global arena. Through my Painting, I am unrepentantly determined to give beauty to the sight; heal emotional wounds and injuries; emphasize love; preach peaceful and hopeful coexistence; highlight societal ills and injustices; advocate for the teeming poor; unite families and bind lesions that are occasioned by inevitable disagreements; educate the black youths about her brave legends; reconcile the blacks with her beautiful roots; and magnify the creator for His wonderful creations.