TEACH US TO LOVE OURSELVES by Oluwafemi Afolabi
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Dimensions: 36 x 48 in
Year: 2023
Price: $2350.00 USD
Status: available
"Teach Us to Love Ourselves" emerged from a deep contemplation of our shared human contradictions. I found myself grappling with questions about the masks we wear and the silent battles we fight within. This piece is a reflection on the invisible barriers we erect, even as we outwardly embrace those around us. The vibrant pink background symbolizes both the warmth of affection and the facade of superficiality. It contrasts with the intricate patterns of the figure's attire, representing the complexity and beauty of our true selves. The bat etched in the corner serves as a silent observer, a reminder of the unseen and unspoken truths that linger in the shadows. In painting this, I wanted to evoke a sense of introspection. The figure’s contemplative pose invites viewers to pause and consider their own reflections and relationships. My hope is that this piece encourages a journey towards self-acceptance and a deeper understanding of the beauty inherent in our individuality. May it inspire you to embrace authenticity and foster genuine connections, both with yourself and others.
Why collect this work?
The figure’s sideways gaze and enclosing arms temper the painting’s high-colour pattern, presenting self-regard as guarded reflection rather than easy confidence.
- Afolabi states that his practice addresses women’s lives, hope, and overlooked experiences. In this work, that concern takes form through one monumental figure rather than an unfolding narrative.
- Braided hair broadens the head’s silhouette, while one hand touches the chin and the other crosses the waist. Against the flat pink field, branching plants and a segmented bat-like outline surround a pose that can suggest watchfulness and reserve.
- Catalogued as acrylic on canvas, the painting separates turquoise, orange, black, and pink into sharply bounded passages. The medium supports the contrast between intricate clothing patterns and the darker, more subtly articulated skin, though the photograph cannot confirm exact colour or surface texture.
- Made in 2023 and measuring 36 by 48 inches, the work provides a focused case for considering how contemporary portraiture can hold adornment, bodily composure, and animal imagery together without resolving the subject into a single identity or mood.
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...
