Take Down 2022

Curator: Monica Ikegwu painted this powerful portrait, called "Take Down," in 2022. Editor: The sheer scale is the first thing that strikes you. It feels intimate yet monumental, almost confronting in its direct gaze. Curator: Absolutely. The work emerges within a significant moment, as Black artists navigate spaces still steeped in histories of underrepresentation and misrepresentation. "Take Down" offers a contemporary representation that defies those legacies. Editor: I’m fascinated by Ikegwu's control of color, especially her approach to the limited monochromatic palette. The nuances in the shades of mauve generate dimension on the canvas. What strikes me, though, is not just the color itself but the interplay of texture between skin, clothing, and the glorious unrestrained hair. Curator: Hair as a political statement, hair as freedom, hair as self-expression! We can consider the natural hair movement, particularly the complex negotiations around Black women’s hair within societal expectations of beauty and professionalism. Editor: Precisely. Look at the meticulous details. You can feel the weight and volume. Curator: These are powerful portraits. They command a presence, reflecting Ikegwu's conscious navigation of representation within contemporary painting. Editor: To consider those choices in detail and admire how Ikegwu orchestrates tone and form in the composition adds layers to that reading of strength and presence. It brings us back to the artist's remarkable technique and skillful observation. Curator: Ikegwu’s practice intersects so many vital dialogues in the cultural landscape. This singular image creates space for complex conversations. Editor: Exactly. Now when you step back from this image you will see both the artist’s hand at play, and your own readings of contemporary dialogue emerge.