Sauce 

Editor: Alfred Conteh’s portrait, "Sauce," executed in acrylic and oil, presents a striking figure with what looks like a cigarette. There’s a vulnerability in his gaze, but also a quiet strength. What layers do you see beneath the surface, so to speak? Curator: It's crucial to examine this portrait within the context of contemporary representations of Black masculinity. The tattoo, the cigarette, even the exposed skin, are all loaded signifiers. Do you see how the artist uses these elements to both conform to and challenge prevailing stereotypes? The ‘Zone 3’ tattoo could be a reclamation of space, a marker of identity within a system that often seeks to erase it. Editor: That's interesting; I hadn’t considered the spatial element represented by the tattoo. Does Conteh’s technique further inform your interpretation? Curator: Absolutely. Note the almost hyper-realistic depiction of the figure contrasted against the abstract background. This tension between the specific and the ambiguous opens up a space for dialogue about the individual versus the societal forces that shape him. It’s an invitation to consider how identity is both constructed and performed. Consider also the ‘sauce’ of the title - is it the figure or is it about the world he inhabits? Editor: It feels like the artist wants us to really *see* this person, rather than simply categorize him. Curator: Precisely! And in seeing him, to confront our own biases and assumptions. Conteh's work prompts essential questions about visibility, agency, and the ongoing struggle for self-definition within a society still grappling with issues of race and power. Editor: It sounds like ‘Sauce’ encourages not only a close looking but an ethical responsibility. Curator: Indeed. This portrait is a powerful reminder that art can be a catalyst for critical self-reflection and social change.