IDENTITY III by Oluwafemi Afolabi
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Dimensions: 26 x 34 in
Year: 2026
Price: $2000.00 USD
Status: available
"Identity III" is a journey into the heart of self-discovery and empowerment. In creating this piece, I was inspired by the silent strength of our heritage, how it shapes us and speaks volumes before we utter a single word. The intricate patterns and bold colors are not just visual elements; they represent the layers of history and culture that define us. The vibrant yellow background is a symbol of hope and resilience, a reminder of the warmth and vitality that our roots bring into our lives. The intricate hairstyle, a crown in its own right, symbolizes the deep connections to ancestry and the pride in our unique identities. The patterns on the clothing are a tapestry of stories, each circle and line a chapter in the narrative of reclaiming beauty on our own terms. I hope viewers feel a sense of connection and empowerment. May this piece remind you of the strength in your own identity and inspire you to embrace and celebrate it fully.
Why collect this work?
IDENTITY III constructs portraiture through repetition: looping hair, bat silhouettes, floral relief-like outlines, and concentric clothing motifs frame a face whose relative stillness anchors the crowded design.
- Afolabi describes his practice as addressing women, community, and hope. In this work, identity is likewise presented through the figure’s hairstyle, clothing, adornment, and recurring animal imagery rather than through setting or action.
- The frontal face occupies the central axis, with narrowed eyes and bright red lips set against deep green. Hand-shaped earrings extend toward the patterned garment, complicating the visible boundary between body, ornament, and emblem.
- The documented acrylic-on-canvas medium permits opaque colour fields and sharply separated forms. In the photograph, subtle modelling across the face contrasts with flat circles, linear bats, and raised-looking floral patterns, though their physical texture cannot be confirmed.
- Encountered within contemporary portraiture, this painting supports a focused examination of how a likeness can be built from culturally suggestive signs while leaving their precise meanings open rather than fixing them as biography.
About the Artist
Oluwafemi Afolabi
Oluwafemi Afolabi is an artist on Mondoir Studio. Artistic discipline: painting. Based in Ibadan , NG.
Nationality: Nigerian
To be precise, my art is my means of self-expression, the reflection of my community and the appreciation of nature; an avenue to capture and...
