Red 4 2021

Monica Ikegwu's "Red 4" is an intimate portrait, achieved through the familiar medium of oil paint on canvas. The choice of oil paint is interesting: a material with a long history, now readily available, and allowing for a wide range of rendering techniques. The near-monochrome red color scheme saturates the artwork, influencing its appearance and drawing focus to the subtle variations in tone and texture across the face. Ikegwu's skilled brushwork captures the nuances of light and shadow, giving the portrait depth and a tactile quality. We can almost feel the slick texture of her lips. While the tools and techniques employed are rooted in traditional artistic practices, the social context is thoroughly contemporary. The focus on an individual face, cropped close and personal, speaks to a culture of selfies and social media, where image and identity are carefully curated for public consumption. This challenges conventional hierarchies and pushes the boundaries of what we consider fine art.