Ruth Owens

Identity Theft

2019

Temi Wynston Edun is a contemporary abstract figurative artist who lives and works in Columbia, Maryland. Born in Ibadan, West Africa, the first of six children, his intense and brooding portraits explore social, political, and psychological themes of the Black experience. His engaging figures capture phenotypic features of people of sub-Saharan heritage that he calls “Africanness” in a unique and distinctive use of mark making. Scale portraits and figures, usually isolated in spare or abstract backgrounds, emphasize the facial stares and expressions of the subjects, transporting the viewer to a level of intimacy and engagement with the work. This intimacy is the focal objective of the artist’s creations. Nothing tells the story of humanity like the face of a human. I am fascinated by faces and the stories they tell, I look for "interesting faces" more so than beautiful ones. But, to me, interesting is not enough. A portrait must be engaging and emotive, be able to tell a story without words and to communicate with the viewer in an unspoken dialogue of innovative ideas and insights, and of some shared experiences. From an early age, Edun’s talent was recognized. He won multiple awards as a child including a competition in 1979 for his design of a poster commemorating UNESCO’s International Year of the Child. While a teenager studying at Edo College in Benin City, Nigeria (high school), his portrait of the Oba of Benin (the traditional ruler of the Edo people) was presented to the Oba. In 1984, Wynston earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria, where he graduated with honors. One of his large-scale metal sculptures is still exhibited in a garden at the university. After graduation, Edun had exhibitions of his work in both Benin City and in Lagos, Nigeria. In 1990, after migrating to the U.S., he received a commission to design a work of art for the Howard University Gospel Choir. From 1990 to 1993, Wynston worked and studied under internationally acclaimed Baltimore-based artist Larry “Poncho” Brown...

Temi Wynston Edun is a contemporary abstract figurative artist who lives and works in Columbia, Maryland. Born in Ibadan, West Africa, the first of six children, his intense and brooding portraits explore social, political, and psychological themes of the Black experience. His engaging figures capture phenotypic features of people of sub-Saharan heritage that he calls “Africanness” in a unique and distinctive use of mark making. Scale portraits and figures, usually isolated in spare or abstract backgrounds, emphasize the facial stares and expressions of the subjects, transporting the viewer to a level of intimacy and engagement with the work. This intimacy is the focal objective of the artist’s creations. Nothing tells the story of humanity like the face of a human. I am fascinated by faces and the stories they tell, I look for "interesting faces" more so than beautiful ones. But, to me, interesting is not enough. A portrait must be engaging and emotive, be able to tell a story without words and to communicate with the viewer in an unspoken dialogue of innovative ideas and insights, and of some shared experiences. From an early age, Edun’s talent was recognized. He won multiple awards as a child including a competition in 1979 for his design of a poster commemorating UNESCO’s International Year of the Child. While a teenager studying at Edo College in Benin City, Nigeria (high school), his portrait of the Oba of Benin (the traditional ruler of the Edo people) was presented to the Oba. In 1984, Wynston earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria, where he graduated with honors. One of his large-scale metal sculptures is still exhibited in a garden at the university. After graduation, Edun had exhibitions of his work in both Benin City and in Lagos, Nigeria. In 1990, after migrating to the U.S., he received a commission to design a work of art for the Howard University Gospel Choir. From 1990 to 1993, Wynston worked and studied under internationally acclaimed Baltimore-based artist Larry “Poncho” Brown...

Temi Wynston Edun is a contemporary abstract figurative artist who lives and works in Columbia, Maryland. Born in Ibadan, West Africa, the first of six children, his intense and brooding portraits explore social, political, and psychological themes of the Black experience. His engaging figures capture phenotypic features of people of sub-Saharan heritage that he calls “Africanness” in a unique and distinctive use of mark making. Scale portraits and figures, usually isolated in spare or abstract backgrounds, emphasize the facial stares and expressions of the subjects, transporting the viewer to a level of intimacy and engagement with the work. This intimacy is the focal objective of the artist’s creations. Nothing tells the story of humanity like the face of a human. I am fascinated by faces and the stories they tell, I look for "interesting faces" more so than beautiful ones. But, to me, interesting is not enough. A portrait must be engaging and emotive, be able to tell a story without words and to communicate with the viewer in an unspoken dialogue of innovative ideas and insights, and of some shared experiences. From an early age, Edun’s talent was recognized. He won multiple awards as a child including a competition in 1979 for his design of a poster commemorating UNESCO’s International Year of the Child. While a teenager studying at Edo College in Benin City, Nigeria (high school), his portrait of the Oba of Benin (the traditional ruler of the Edo people) was presented to the Oba. In 1984, Wynston earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria, where he graduated with honors. One of his large-scale metal sculptures is still exhibited in a garden at the university. After graduation, Edun had exhibitions of his work in both Benin City and in Lagos, Nigeria. In 1990, after migrating to the U.S., he received a commission to design a work of art for the Howard University Gospel Choir. From 1990 to 1993, Wynston worked and studied under internationally acclaimed Baltimore-based artist Larry “Poncho” Brown...

Temi Wynston Edun is a contemporary abstract figurative artist who lives and works in Columbia, Maryland. Born in Ibadan, West Africa, the first of six children, his intense and brooding portraits explore social, political, and psychological themes of the Black experience. His engaging figures capture phenotypic features of people of sub-Saharan heritage that he calls “Africanness” in a unique and distinctive use of mark making. Scale portraits and figures, usually isolated in spare or abstract backgrounds, emphasize the facial stares and expressions of the subjects, transporting the viewer to a level of intimacy and engagement with the work. This intimacy is the focal objective of the artist’s creations. Nothing tells the story of humanity like the face of a human. I am fascinated by faces and the stories they tell, I look for "interesting faces" more so than beautiful ones. But, to me, interesting is not enough. A portrait must be engaging and emotive, be able to tell a story without words and to communicate with the viewer in an unspoken dialogue of innovative ideas and insights, and of some shared experiences. From an early age, Edun’s talent was recognized. He won multiple awards as a child including a competition in 1979 for his design of a poster commemorating UNESCO’s International Year of the Child. While a teenager studying at Edo College in Benin City, Nigeria (high school), his portrait of the Oba of Benin (the traditional ruler of the Edo people) was presented to the Oba. In 1984, Wynston earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria, where he graduated with honors. One of his large-scale metal sculptures is still exhibited in a garden at the university. After graduation, Edun had exhibitions of his work in both Benin City and in Lagos, Nigeria. In 1990, after migrating to the U.S., he received a commission to design a work of art for the Howard University Gospel Choir. From 1990 to 1993, Wynston worked and studied under internationally acclaimed Baltimore-based artist Larry “Poncho” Brown...

Christina Major’s "Marilyn - A Wise Girl" is a striking contemporary portrait that seamlessly blends realism with expressive text overlays, creating an artwork that is both visually arresting and conceptually rich. Measuring 77.5 x 64 inches, this mixed-media painting captures the timeless allure of Marilyn Monroe, her piercing gaze and iconic red lips emerging through layers of hand-painted script. The interplay of cool and warm tones enhances the depth of her expression, while the carefully integrated text—featuring Monroe’s own words—adds a narrative dimension that invites viewers to reflect on the contrast between fame and vulnerability. A captivating fusion of portraiture and typographic abstraction, this piece is a statement work for collectors drawn to figurative art, pop culture icons, and contemporary oil paintings. Christina Major is a portrait painter interested in the ways the identity of both artist and subject can coexist in a painting. Major's current creative research focuses on the traditional form of the portrait as a powerful form of representing an individual and how meaning can be expanded through scale, brushstroke, color, texture, composition, and the many variables that portraiture deals with. This one-of-a-kind oil painting is 77.5 inches tall and 64.5 inches wide. It is signed by Major on the back. The artwork is wired and ready to hang. It does not require framing. Free local Los Angeles area delivery. Affordable Continental U.S. and International shipping are also available. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included. Major expands the traditional portrait painting...

Christina Major’s "Audrey - I Believe" is a mesmerizing contemporary portrait that blends realism with expressive text overlays, creating a visually and emotionally compelling artwork. This 84 x 57-inch painting captures the timeless grace of Audrey Hepburn, her luminous features emerging from a soft, ethereal palette of cool blues, warm peaches, and gentle neutrals. Layered over her serene expression are hand-painted phrases inspired by Hepburn’s wisdom and humanitarian legacy, adding depth and narrative to the composition. The interplay between the hyperrealistic portraiture and textured text invites viewers to engage with both the subject’s beauty and the empowering messages woven into the piece, making it a captivating addition for collectors of figurative art, contemporary paintings, and pop culture iconography. Christina Major is a portrait painter interested in the ways the identity of both artist and subject can coexist in a painting. Major's current creative research focuses on the traditional form of the portrait as a powerful form of representing an individual and how meaning can be expanded through scale, brushstroke, color, texture, composition, and the many variables that portraiture deals with. This one-of-a-kind oil painting is 84 inches tall and 57 inches wide. It is signed by Major on the back. The artwork is wired and ready to hang. It does not require framing. Free local Los Angeles area delivery. Affordable Continental U.S. and International shipping are also available. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included. Major expands the traditional portrait painting...

Christina Major’s "Sophia Loren - Cherish It" is a captivating contemporary portrait that merges hyperrealistic portraiture with layered text, creating a dynamic fusion of depth, emotion, and storytelling. This 49 x 49-inch original painting masterfully captures the timeless beauty of Sophia Loren, with her piercing gaze and luminous complexion enhanced by the artist’s meticulous brushwork. Overlapping layers of hand-painted script weave through the portrait, adding texture and meaning, reflecting themes of wisdom, self-love, and femininity. The interplay of soft pastels and bold contrasts makes this artwork a statement piece for collectors drawn to modern figurative painting, celebrity portraiture, and mixed-media techniques. Christina Major is a portrait painter interested in the ways the identity of both artist and subject can coexist in a painting. Major's current creative research focuses on the traditional form of the portrait as a powerful form of representing an individual and how meaning can be expanded through scale, brushstroke, color, texture, composition, and the many variables that portraiture deals with. This one-of-a-kind oil painting is signed by Major on the back. The artwork is wired and ready to hang. It does not require framing. Free local Los Angeles area delivery. Affordable Continental U.S. and International shipping available. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included. Major expands the traditional portrait painting...

Christina Major’s "Marilyn Strong Women" is a striking contemporary portrait that blends expressive realism with text-based abstraction, creating a visually compelling homage to Marilyn Monroe. This 49 x 49-inch original painting features intricate brushwork that captures the star’s luminous beauty, with layers of hand-painted text seamlessly integrated into the composition, symbolizing the complexity behind her iconic image. The interplay of warm and cool tones enhances depth and emotion, while the bold, overlapping typography invites viewers to reflect on themes of femininity, identity, and cultural perception. Christina Major is a portrait painter interested in the ways the identity of both artist and subject can coexist in a painting. Major's current creative research focuses on the traditional form of the portrait as a powerful form of representing an individual and how meaning can be expanded through scale, brushstroke, color, texture, composition, and the many variables that portraiture deals with. This one-of-a-kind oil painting is signed by Major on the back. The artwork is wired and ready to hang. It does not require framing. Free local Los Angeles area delivery. Affordable Continental U.S. and International shipping available. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included. Major expands the traditional portrait painting...