And She Saw Blue 2019

Monica Ikegwu created this painting, “And She Saw Blue,” using oil on canvas. These are conventional fine art materials, but notice how Ikegwu deploys them. She's not exactly working in the grand tradition of portraiture. The painting centers on a figure enveloped in a vibrant blue puffer jacket, and the textured folds of the jacket’s material are meticulously rendered, almost eclipsing the human subject. Through the strategic use of light and shadow, Ikegwu captures the essence of the puffy nylon, and the way light interacts with the jacket becomes as crucial as the portrait itself. The painting elevates an everyday, mass-produced garment to the realm of high art. This choice reflects a profound engagement with contemporary culture. Ikegwu’s decision to foreground such a ubiquitous item prompts us to consider the relationship between fashion, identity, and the society we inhabit. It suggests the increasing importance of clothing as a form of self-expression, and invites us to look at the world through a new, materially conscious lens.