Aketesia 2022

This is Cornelius Annor's painting *Aketesia*, and the way it's made, with all its textured brushstrokes and vibrant colors, gives you a sense of how it came together. It's so lovely! I can just imagine Annor building up the layers, choosing those bright teal and magenta patterns to capture the energy of everyday life. It’s almost like the painting itself is a form of conversation between the artist and his subject. I’m really drawn to the way he handles the light. Notice how the light falls on the woman's face, creating a soft glow, and how that contrasts with the sharper edges of the television set behind her. I wonder, what was he thinking about when he painted the details of her dress? It reminds me of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye who also paints portraits, although imaginary, from a similar perspective. It's all part of a larger conversation! And that's what makes painting so exciting.