Mákanjúolá – “Don’t Be in a Hurry for Wealth by Oluwafemi Afolabi
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Dimensions: 36 x 48 in
Year: 2026
Price: $2350.00 USD
Status: available
In creating "Mákanjúolá – Don’t Be in a Hurry for Wealth," I was drawn to the timeless exchange of wisdom between a mother and her son. In the gentle embrace of an afternoon, she holds his hand, her gaze a reservoir of love and guidance. Her words, calm yet resolute, echo the wisdom of generations: wealth hastily gained is fragile, lacking the foundation of patience and integrity. The vibrant patterns of their attire are more than just colors; they are a tapestry of tradition and truth. Each hue and motif speaks to the rich cultural heritage that envelops them, grounding the son in a legacy that values character over quick success. The mother's presence is a sanctuary, where her son finds solace and strength. Through this piece, I hope to remind viewers of the profound journey life is. It’s not just about the pursuit of wealth, but about nurturing virtues and growing steadily. True richness lies in who we become, not just in what we acquire. May this painting inspire patience and integrity in the face of life's hurried demands.
Why collect this work?
The painting makes intergenerational counsel visible through bodily closeness: two figures overlap, while a hand placed over another concentrates the scene’s moral weight in touch rather than speech.
- Afolabi states that his practice attends to women, children and lives outside affluence. Here, that concern supports his account of a mother advising her son to value patience and integrity over quickly acquired wealth.
- In the photograph, the seated figures incline toward each other against repeated vertical bands. Their dark green faces and limbs visually connect them, while sharply differentiated garments preserve their individual presence within the pair.
- The documented acrylic on canvas permits strong contrasts and clearly bounded motifs at this 36-by-48-inch scale. Dense curls and leaves carry much of the visual activity, set against a restrained striped ground.
- Encountering this work places a proverb about wealth within an intimate act of care. Its significance lies in how ethical instruction is pictured as something transmitted through proximity, attention and family relationship.
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...
