Shoot Your Shot 2017

Curator: So, we’re looking at Monica Ikegwu’s "Shoot Your Shot," painted in 2017 using acrylic. Editor: Okay, immediate thought: regal but playful. It's like a modern-day queen with a touch of pop art irreverence. The purple lipstick is definitely making a statement. Curator: Ikegwu's work often explores themes of identity and representation, and this piece is no exception. Considering how portraits, historically, were often reserved for the elite, the artist reclaims that space. Here the artist spotlights contemporary figures. It shifts power dynamics in the art world. Editor: Definitely feels like a challenge to those old hierarchies. And that background, those concentric circles…they feel almost like targets. "Shoot Your Shot," indeed – aiming right at the viewer, challenging perceptions. It's in your face. It's a contemporary painting with an edgy sensibility. Curator: I see what you mean. Plus, the hand gesture seems important too. It draws attention. You see the ring—a symbol, maybe of commitment or self-possession. What about the gaze? Confident, or defiant, maybe? Editor: Ooh, both! And more. I sense an invitation but also, a clear boundary. Like she’s saying, “Here I am, take me as I am, but on my terms.” It reflects how we portray ourselves. How much do we reveal? What do we protect? The gradient of colors as the torso appears to sink downwards into purple, further speaks to her self-assured power. Curator: That color is worth mentioning; Purple is a color of royalty, power, and ambition. Its presence speaks to a deep interest in color, texture and visual impact. What does that say about painting within contemporary African-diasporic contexts? I wonder, given the portrait tradition of painting what's lost and what's reclaimed here? Editor: Maybe we can interpret this, as a fresh burst onto the scene that overturns painting expectations! You know? It dares to assert a contemporary point of view, without erasing its history. A bold visual statement, for sure. Curator: Absolutely, Monica Ikegwu creates a conversation through a painting like “Shoot Your Shot". It makes one reconsider who holds the brush in the act of portraiture. Editor: Yes. And perhaps reminds us that art should be more inclusive in celebrating contemporary artists that may have been historically under-recognized.