Milly 2020

Editor: Here we have Monica Ikegwu’s "Milly" from 2020, an acrylic on canvas. I’m struck by how the red background seems to swallow the figure, yet she holds her gaze, steady and powerful. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, I’m so glad you noticed that tension! For me, this painting is all about claiming space. That red—ostensibly enveloping—becomes a vibrant stage. The directness of Milly's gaze is key. It's a reclaiming, a visual declaration of presence. It makes me think, whose stories are often relegated to the background, and how are contemporary artists like Ikegwu pushing those stories forward? What's your take on her choice of the color red dominating this composition? Editor: Well, it feels very deliberate. Red can be so many things—passion, anger, love… but here, combined with her self-assuredness, it almost feels regal. Like she's meant to be seen. Almost daring you to look away. Curator: Exactly! It transcends simple symbolism. Ikegwu uses the colour saturation and subject’s attire, almost playfully juxtaposing strength and vulnerability. It's as if she's saying, “I contain multitudes. See me as I am." Do you think her contemporary style speaks to something specific? Editor: Absolutely. It breaks from traditional portraiture—less posed, more present. It feels incredibly… now. I learned to think more about how portraiture could be a mode to reclaim visibility for individuals from marginalized communities. Thank you! Curator: The pleasure was mine! I feel I want to reconsider all my previous notions about classical and contemporary portraiture.