Devin 2022

Monica Ikegwu made "Devin" with paint, and the layering of the oil gives the whole piece a certain glow, like it's lit from within. It's like she's building up the image, bit by bit, with each stroke. I’m really drawn to how Ikegwu handles color and light in this piece. The skin tones, the folds in the dress, the reflection in the jewelry – it’s all so carefully observed. The way the light hits the model’s face, for example, is masterful. And the choice of colors – the muted golds and blues – creates a really calming, almost dreamlike effect. Look at the flowers on the dress. They have little sad faces on them, which make you feel like the model could be going through a difficult time. This piece reminds me a little of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, but with a more contemporary, almost pop-art sensibility. Like Lynette, Ikegwu is interested in the figure, but she's also pushing the boundaries of what portraiture can be. Ultimately, the beauty of art is that it invites interpretation, and there's no one right way to experience it.