Syncretic Birthrights, digital image 17
Odera Igbokwe
June 12 – July 8, 2023
Creative Access Description
A colour portrait image of an oil painting on watercolour paper mounted on a white wall without a frame, floating by six L-shaped metal brackets, in a gallery space. The painting is 20 inches by 30 inches tall. There is a lightness in the primary colours here, which is complemented by the confidence that exudes from the central floating figure; the Griot. Their hair is a crown of Bantu knots, and their ebony skin glows dressed in flowing, soft tangerine and peach-coloured clothing. The soft purple and pink clouds reflect their colours and create a glow around the figure and their clothing. Their forearms, hands and feet are exposed. They sit in a cross-legged, almost lotus-like position, floating above a perch made of scrolls and folded paper. The perch becomes a rooftop as below them are shadowy arcades and arches partially obscured by flowing mists. Their arms encircle a large open book covered in Nsibidi symbols, whose pages float out and away towards a circular portal behind and above their head. Through the portal, a pasture of green and pink florals is illuminated by a bright blue sky.Description
Detail shot of the work The Griot in Syncretic Birthrights.Identifier
2023.0512 SYN I017Extent
1 digital imageArtist
Odera IgbokwePhotographer
Dennis HaRelated program
Syncretic Birthrights (Related)In copyright. For uses beyond Fair Dealing, research requests, corrections, takedown requests, or other inquiries, please contact grunt gallery: archives@grunt.ca