Me 2 by Oluwafemi Akanmu
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Charcoal and acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 18 x 24 in
Year: 2022
Price: $1800.00 USD
Status: available
"Me 1" emerged from a deep exploration of identity and self-expression. In this piece, I wanted to capture the essence of individuality, the quiet strength and complexity that resides within each of us. The figure, adorned with swirling patterns on the skin, represents the layers of experiences that shape who we are. The contrast between the rich, dark tones of the charcoal and the vibrant acrylics creates a dynamic tension, mirroring the internal and external worlds we navigate. The hat, with its subtle embellishments, adds a touch of mystery, inviting viewers to ponder the stories hidden beneath. The background, dotted with bold, circular patterns, symbolizes the constant rhythm of life and the connections we forge along the way. I hope that when you look at this artwork, you feel a sense of introspection and connection. It's an invitation to celebrate the unique tapestry of your own identity, to embrace every swirl and color that makes you who you are.
Why collect this work?
A dense network of spirals crosses the figure’s face and neck, while separate circles repeat behind them, framing identity as distinct yet shaped through recurrence.
- Akanmu states that his practice emphasizes the dignity of Black identity and draws on African histories and lived experience. That intention supports an identity-based reading here, without fixing the sitter’s particular story.
- In the photograph, the figure’s sideways gaze interrupts the frontal pose. Irregular spirals follow the modeled face and neck, contrasting with the background’s flatter, more evenly spaced rings and dots.
- Catalogued as charcoal and acrylic on canvas, the mixed medium makes possible both tonal gradation and emphatic blocks of colour. The available image does not establish which material produced each passage.
- Titled Me 2 and dated 2022, the portrait is significant for how it separates pattern from sameness. Encountering it alongside other portraits could focus attention on ornament as a structure of self-presentation rather than a decorative supplement.
About the Artist
Oluwafemi Akanmu
Oluwafemi Akanmu is an artist on Mondoir Studio. Artistic discipline: painting. Based in Ibadan, NG.
Nationality: Nigerian
Through my art, I intentionally highlight the richness of African culture and its enduring beauty, with particular emphasis on the dignity and...
