Kelechi x Ogechi 2021

Monica Ikegwu painted this double portrait, Kelechi x Ogechi, in a palette of warm browns and creams. I can imagine her building up the layers, carefully smoothing the surface to create these luminous figures. I wonder what it was like for Ikegwu to construct this image—to render the subtle variations in tone, and the light as it falls across the faces. The artist handles the paint with such grace and attentiveness, giving the figures a sense of depth and presence. The texture of their clothes, the braids of their hair, and the delicate flowers they hold are painted with an eye for detail. Yet, there's also an openness to the composition, allowing for different interpretations and connections. The painting reminds me of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's portraits, and the way she captures the inner lives of her subjects. Ikegwu is part of this lineage, contributing to an ongoing conversation between artists across time.