Sister’s Keeper 2020

Curator: Standing before us is Monica Ikegwu’s “Sister’s Keeper,” completed in 2020. It’s an oil painting, a portrait of two women rendered with striking realism. Editor: My first thought is of protection. The bulk of their winter jackets, the somber backdrop... there's a visual weight here. Curator: It’s intriguing how Ikegwu uses the quilted texture of the jackets, almost like shields, yet the texture and material themselves belie a very contemporary, everyday consumerism. Editor: Exactly. Consider the power dynamics at play. Black female intimacy is centered, yet they’re enveloped in what could be read as armor against a world that often devalues them. Their subtle gold hoops feel like assertions of self. Curator: The hoops are a small but important detail, nodding towards material culture, status, and identity construction. Think about the labor that went into the extraction, refining, and marketing of even such small adornments. Editor: And think about the cultural significance. Hoops as a symbol of resistance, a rejection of respectability politics...placed in contrast with those incredibly bulky puffer jackets. What are they protecting? Each other? Their heritage? Curator: The title, "Sister's Keeper," of course emphasizes this protective bond, suggesting familial care and responsibility in a societal landscape where Black women have historically been denied protection. The visible brushstrokes also are noticeable as this adds to the material nature of the piece. Editor: Absolutely. The direct gazes challenge the viewer, demanding acknowledgment. Their intertwined hands solidify the bond, speaking to resilience and the enduring strength of kinship networks. It reads as a profound statement of solidarity against erasure. Curator: Yes, it seems the subjects are aware that they are being observed. With this in mind, the level of naturalism allows for access to the emotions. Their features look weary, but steadfast, too. Editor: Ikegwu successfully intertwines personal narrative with larger socio-political commentary, really encouraging viewers to contemplate themes of identity, sisterhood, and survival in contemporary society. Curator: For me, it’s a powerful testament to the role material objects play in shaping identity, reflecting socio-economic realities, and communicating complex messages. Editor: For me, it is a potent symbol of Black sisterhood and its resistance to oppressive forces, embodied in something as simple as winter outerwear.