A Night With Osibisa 2021

Cornelius Annor made this painting, A Night With Osibisa, by layering figures on top of a rhythmic floor, creating a sense of movement. The colours are earthy and warm. You can almost feel the energy of a crowded room pulsing with music. I imagine Annor layering thin washes of paint, building up these figures bit by bit. The patterns on the fabrics are amazing. It's like he’s not just painting what he sees, but what it *feels* like to be there, in that moment. There's a real sense of community here, folks dancing and talking and letting loose. Annor's got a great eye for capturing the way people move, the way they connect with each other. It reminds me of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's paintings of imagined figures. Both artists share a similar interest in the relationship between colour, form, and representation. Ultimately, these artists invite us into a space of shared experience. It is a testament to how painting can capture the mood of being together with others.