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Bukola OrioyeBreathe - Contemporary portrait painting2020
2020
$6,500
£4,918.82
€5,672.95
CA$9,076.80
A$10,168.95
CHF 5,292.93
MX$123,838.32
NOK 67,424.85
SEK 63,495.18
DKK 42,347.82
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About the Item
“Breathe” is a deeply emotive portrait that captures a suspended moment of inward reflection and release. With eyes gently shut and lips slightly parted, the subject appears lost in a meditative pause; a symbolic act of exhalation amidst chaos. In this textured 40x40 inch canvas, Bukola Orioye renders a powerful face in mottled, layered pigments, infusing the skin with shades of turquoise, ivory, and obsidian each dab and stroke revealing emotional depth and vulnerability.
The subject’s large, untamed afro rendered in vibrant hues of amber, ochre, and sienna takes up almost half of the composition, representing both natural beauty and the wild internal world we often try to tame. A vivid pink garment across the shoulder adds warmth, contrasting the cooler tones of the face and amplifying the work’s tension between stillness and emotional charge.
Thematic Interpretation
“Breathe” speaks to the necessity of pause — especially for those who move through the world carrying unseen burdens. It reflects the mental need to pause in the midst of turbulence, to collect oneself, to heal. The closed eyes suggest a reconnection with self where strength is rebuilt not by pushing forward, but by sinking inward.
Created in 2020 (a year of global disruption and intense reflection) this painting is a timeless reminder of how silence, solitude, and breath can be forms of survival, resistance, and rebirth.
Why Collect This Work
Emotionally Resonant: The painting captures a universal human emotion (the need for stillness) making it instantly relatable across cultures and contexts.
Textural Mastery: Orioye’s layered technique and use of color give the piece both visual and tactile richness.
Cultural Significance: The work celebrates Black beauty in its natural form, with reverence and honesty.
Meditative Energy: “Breathe” works not just as an image, but as a presence in a room, calming, centering, and thought-provoking.
Collector Notes
Signed by the artist (lower right)
Excellent condition; ready to hang
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity
Ideal for collectors of Black portraiture, African contemporary art, or introspective works on identity and resilience
- Creator:Bukola Orioye (Nigerian)
- Creation Year:2020
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- More Editions & Sizes:24 x 24 edition of 5Price: $550
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Ibadan, NG
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2878216641432
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