Strength of A Woman

In Urhobo / Isoko ethnic group in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, it is a common thing seeing men always sitting at noted joints. drinking 'sapele water' - local gin, whereas women spend hours without rest fending and catering for the families. Yes, women are bread winners, burden-bearers passing sleepless nights thinking and working for family up keeping.
Fourth child in a family of nine, I grew up seeing my mother work tirelessly to bring up the nine of us. She was determinant in her daily 'responsibilities', believing that one day her children will be great people. I am a professional artist, I mirror the society through my art works. I use arts to express my feelings. Most times, my art depict experience of women in my community.

I draw my inspiration from a life story in my community as shown in the attached work, which I title 'STRENGTH OF A WOMAN'. The painting depicts the strength of a woman who lost her husband through an ethnic violence. She went through thick and thin, struggling to take care of her children all alone but she held on to her will-power knowing that the future of her children lies on her strength as a mother, a woman in whom nature has bestowed with the virtues of procreating, nurturing and protecting the continuous existence of humanity. She uses the strength of her character, her hope and determination to protect her children from going the same way her husband has gone.

COLOURS: I used colours to interpret the mood of the painting. The use of blue for part of the face, neck and shoulder of the mother depicts the undying love she has for the society and her children. I use white with a touch of blue for her robe to interpret peace and kindness in her heart. There is a ray of light with yellow patches on all faces depicting hope with a brighter future for an improved society.
MOOD: The mood of this painting portrays sober reflection.
STYLE: I used impasto technique with oil on canvas.