I have always been deeply drawn to drawing and painting collections of abstract heads—forms that echo the presence of masks and portraits found across African traditional art. These influences cut across diverse cultures on the continent, each carrying its own history, symbolism, and identity. Whether I encounter them physically, online, or in photographs, African portraits and masks continually inspire me. I am fascinated by their facial structures, their bold distortions, and the way they communicate meaning through abstraction rather than realism.
This fascination has grown into a strong foundation within my practice. Over time, I have created several works centered around this ideology, and it has become an essential part of my artistic expression. Working with abstract heads gives me a unique kind of freedom—the freedom to simplify, repeat, and transform forms into visual language. It allows me to express complex ideas through minimal yet powerful compositions, using faces not just as subjects, but as symbols.
“The Fraction” is a two-part painting series that represents the core of this exploration. Created with acrylic on canvas, each piece measures 48 by 36 inches. In this series, I focus on simplicity, structure, and contrast by dividing the canvas into two unequal sections—an upper and a lower space that interact in a quiet but compelling way.
One section of the canvas is completely covered in black, forming a solid, calm presence. The other section is filled with abstract heads, drawn in black against a white background. This side feels alive, rhythmic, and full of movement. The decision to make the black portion smaller than the section with the heads was intentional. It emphasizes activity and brightness, allowing the viewer’s eye to naturally gravitate toward the more dynamic space.
At its heart, “The Fraction” is driven by my desire to explore simplicity through design. It is about reducing elements to their essentials while still maintaining depth and meaning. The strong contrast between black and white, along with subtle variations in form, creates a balance between stillness and motion.
This work also reflects my interest in creating art that complements contemporary spaces. It is both minimal and expressive—offering the viewer moments of rest, curiosity, and visual engagement. The eye finds places to pause within the solid black, then moves freely across the patterned heads, discovering new details with each glance.
Ultimately, “The Fraction” is more than just a division of space—it is a dialogue between opposites. It is about harmony within contrast, and the beauty that emerges when simplicity meets intention.
