Yellow Yesterdays 2018

Monica Ikegwu painted this portrait, "Yellow Yesterdays", capturing the sitter with arms crossed, set against a monochrome background. The golden yellow background and jacket evoke ideas of warmth, and energy. Yet, the crossing of arms is an ancient gesture, potent with meaning. In antiquity, crossed arms often symbolized closure, defense, or a refusal to engage. Think of the stoic philosophers, depicted with arms folded, embodying self-sufficiency and detachment. Here, the relaxed posture and the youth of the subject seem to invite a contemporary reading of self-assuredness. The gesture reminds us of a recurring human impulse: to shield oneself, physically manifesting psychological barriers. This crossing, this folding, speaks volumes about the human condition. An echo of ancestral fears, resilience, and the ongoing negotiation between vulnerability and strength.