Sisters 2020

Cornelius Annor painted ‘Sisters’ in oil, and it's the kind of painting that pulls you in with its gentle, blocky colours and directness. It’s like Annor’s inviting you into a personal space, a snapshot of everyday life, rendered with a tender touch. The painting is full of these lovely material contrasts. The thick strokes of the background clash with the smoother surface of the figures' clothing, creating a visual push and pull. Look at the skirt on the right-hand figure, the way Annor uses these stripes of colour, and how these marks almost vibrate against the muted blues and pinks of the top half of the painting. It’s like a little party happening right there on the canvas! I’m reminded of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, and the way she uses paint to capture the quiet dignity of her subjects. But really, ‘Sisters’ has its own vibe, its own rhythm. It’s a beautiful reminder that art is always a conversation, a back-and-forth between artists across time and space.