Untitled 2020

Monica Ikegwu's Untitled portrait uses oil on canvas to depict a young person, presenting a study of identity that prompts questions about representation and power. The image is rendered with soft, warm tones against a cool blue background. Consider the implications of the artist's careful attention to skin tone and texture, alongside the subject's contemporary haircut and clothing. What expectations are set up when a young Black subject is portrayed in the formal language of portraiture? Ikegwu, a contemporary Nigerian artist, seems to question the Western canon of art history, while also investigating the specifics of Nigerian identity. As art historians, we might ask: how does this work engage with post-colonial discourse and the politics of representation? By studying the artist’s background and the artistic traditions she is drawing from, we can more deeply understand the nuances of this compelling portrait.