Red2 2020

Monica Ikegwu’s Red2 is a juicy exploration in red, painted with what looks like oil on canvas. The overwhelming redness really hits you first; it's like being bathed in a warm, intense glow. Then you notice how Ikegwu plays with the paint itself – some areas are built up, thick and almost sculptural, especially around the face. Other spots are thinned out, creating these translucent washes that let the canvas peek through. Look closely at those lips, that glorious, glossy pout. The artist has laid the paint on thick, creating this almost wet, hyper-real texture that makes you want to reach out and touch it. The way Ikegwu handles paint reminds me of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, who similarly explores the nuances of color and form to evoke mood and emotion. It’s like they're both saying: let’s not settle for just seeing; let's really *feel* what we're looking at.