The Upper Room: Mono Turquesa 2002

Chris Ofili made this painting, Mono Turquesa, with layers of colour creating a shimmering, dreamlike effect. The way the paint seems to float and blend reminds me of artmaking as a process of constant discovery. Up close, the textures and colors create a vibrant surface. The turquoise figure seems to emerge from a background of greens, yellows, and reds, all vying for attention. The contrast between the smooth, almost translucent figure and the more textured, colorful ground creates a visual push and pull, a sense of depth and movement. Look at the delicate lines tracing the figure, like a memory or a ghostly presence. This tension between clarity and ambiguity is typical of Ofili's work, where images often carry multiple layers of meaning. Like Elizabeth Murray, Ofili embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the work.