Matters Arising 2 by Reuben Ayodeji
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Pen on paper
Dimensions: 12.7 x 17.8 cm
Year: 2025
Price: $100.00 USD
Status: available
"Matters Arising 1" emerged from my contemplation on the complex narratives surrounding body image. I wanted to capture the essence of these debates, the tension between societal expectations and individual reality. In this piece, I invite you to confront the raw honesty of the human form, stripped of embellishment and judgment. As I drew, each pen stroke became a testament to the resilience and dignity inherent in every body. The texture and shading reflect the depth and nuance of these conversations. I chose a monochrome palette to emphasize the stark contrasts and subtle details, mirroring the often black-and-white nature of societal views on body size. I hope viewers feel a sense of connection and empathy, recognizing the beauty in diversity and the courage it takes to stand authentically in one’s skin. My wish is for this piece to inspire reflection on how we perceive ourselves and others, fostering a more compassionate dialogue around body image.
Why collect this work?
A rear-facing figure fills the small sheet, while dense vertical marks suppress facial identity and make bodily stance the primary carrier of meaning.
- Ayodeji states that body language and facial expression are central to his practice. Here, concealing the face tests that concern: posture, weight and the lowered arms must carry the figure’s presence.
- Seen in the photograph, the figure is centred against largely unmarked paper. The broad back and legs are heavily worked, but stray contours remain around the hands and feet, balancing monumentality with visible uncertainty.
- The documented pen-on-paper medium permits both sharp outlines and accumulated hatching. Repeated strokes build shadow and volume without fully smoothing the body, preserving drawing as an active record of looking.
- At 12.7 by 17.8 cm, Matters Arising 2 compresses a substantial figure into an intimate format. Its withholding of face and setting makes it a focused study of how bodily difference is pictured without narrative explanation.
About the Artist
Reuben Ayodeji
Reuben Ayodeji is an artist on Mondoir Studio. Artistic discipline: painting. Based in Abuja, Nigeria.
Nationality: Nigerian
My artistic focus lies in the creation of unique works that convey emotions through body language and facial expressions.
