Closed 2022

Monica Ikegwu made this striking portrait, "Closed," using paint, and a whole lotta red. It's a portrait, but it’s like a study of color and texture too. The way the light hits that puffer jacket is amazing; it’s so shiny, it almost feels like you could reach out and touch it. Look closely, and you can see how Ikegwu uses layers of slightly different reds to create that sense of depth and volume. It’s not just flat color; it’s about building up the surface with all these subtle nuances. And then, the way she handles the face – so soft and luminous, it really glows. Ikegwu's work reminds me a bit of Amoako Boafo, especially in the way she captures the beauty and complexity of her subjects with such a distinctive use of color. But there's also something very personal and intimate about this painting. It's like she's inviting us to see the world through her eyes, to appreciate the beauty that can be found in the everyday.