Paul Ayihawu Mixed Media

In 2020, amidst the lockdown's intensity, my art journey ignited professionally. With ample time to delve deep, I explored figurative painting and abstract drawings until early 2022. I created a different series of paintings, one standout series, "Black, Bold, and Beautiful," celebrated the radiant essence of black women through six vibrant portraits clad in Ankara suits. While one found a home with a collector in Tel Aviv, the rest lingered in my studio. Two years on, a spark ignites within me to revisit this series, infusing it with the evolved narrative that aligns and fits into the conversation my works now engage in as a Contemporary Gospeller. The notions of “Restoration and restitution” weigh heavily in my heart, reflecting on personal and global scales. While global discourse focuses on returning stolen artefacts from Africa back to their origins, my perspective delves deeper into the restoration of lost time and purpose. My point of view on Restoration and Restitution is from this notion that man can lose years of his life in futility, and when the time of profit comes, it occurs mostly at the brink of life. A profound scripture, "I'll restore the years that the locust has eaten," resonates deeply, offering a beacon of hope amidst perceived futility. When I read this verse, it distinctly jumped out at me. Wow! Years can be restored! There is hope! To make this revisiting more contextual, I look out for material which can be regarded as “used-up”, “less-value”, or “wasted” - then it appears to me that Jute sack fits into this context! The Jute sack stands for the lost years of glory, having exchanged hands from one country to another before ending up in my studio to take a new life, different from what it has been used for. Thus, the series finds renewal through the symbolism of jute bags...

In 2020, amidst the lockdown's intensity, my art journey ignited professionally. With ample time to delve deep, I explored figurative painting and abstract drawings until early 2022. I created a different series of paintings, one standout series, "Black, Bold, and Beautiful," celebrated the radiant essence of black women through six vibrant portraits clad in Ankara suits. While one found a home with a collector in Tel Aviv, the rest lingered in my studio. Two years on, a spark ignites within me to revisit this series, infusing it with the evolved narrative that aligns and fits into the conversation my works now engage in as a Contemporary Gospeller. The notions of “Restoration and restitution” weigh heavily in my heart, reflecting on personal and global scales. While global discourse focuses on returning stolen artefacts from Africa back to their origins, my perspective delves deeper into the restoration of lost time and purpose. My point of view on Restoration and Restitution is from this notion that man can lose years of his life in futility, and when the time of profit comes, it occurs mostly at the brink of life. A profound scripture, "I'll restore the years that the locust has eaten," resonates deeply, offering a beacon of hope amidst perceived futility. When I read this verse, it distinctly jumped out at me. Wow! Years can be restored! There is hope! To make this revisiting more contextual, I look out for material which can be regarded as “used-up”, “less-value”, or “wasted” - then it appears to me that Jute sack fits into this context! The Jute sack stands for the lost years of glory, having exchanged hands from one country to another before ending up in my studio to take a new life, different from what it has been used for. Thus, the series finds renewal through the symbolism of jute bags...

In 2020, amidst the lockdown's intensity, my art journey ignited professionally. With ample time to delve deep, I explored figurative painting and abstract drawings until early 2022. I created a different series of paintings, one standout series, "Black, Bold, and Beautiful," celebrated the radiant essence of black women through six vibrant portraits clad in Ankara suits. While one found a home with a collector in Tel Aviv, the rest lingered in my studio. Two years on, a spark ignites within me to revisit this series, infusing it with the evolved narrative that aligns and fits into the conversation my works now engage in as a Contemporary Gospeller. The notions of “Restoration and restitution” weigh heavily in my heart, reflecting on personal and global scales. While global discourse focuses on returning stolen artefacts from Africa back to their origins, my perspective delves deeper into the restoration of lost time and purpose. My point of view on Restoration and Restitution is from this notion that man can lose years of his life in futility, and when the time of profit comes, it occurs mostly at the brink of life. A profound scripture, "I'll restore the years that the locust has eaten," resonates deeply, offering a beacon of hope amidst perceived futility. When I read this verse, it distinctly jumped out at me. Wow! Years can be restored! There is hope! To make this revisiting more contextual, I look out for material which can be regarded as “used-up”, “less-value”, or “wasted” - then it appears to me that Jute sack fits into this context! The Jute sack stands for the lost years of glory, having exchanged hands from one country to another before ending up in my studio to take a new life, different from what it has been used for. Thus, the series finds renewal through the symbolism of jute bags...

"Be-Flowered" is deeply rooted in the African cultural heritage of a female child. In African culture, it is revered that a young woman should maintain her sexual purity until marriage, which brings immense joy and honor to her family when her husband finds her a virgin on their wedding night. The title "Be-Flowered" is derived from the concept of "Deflower," which signifies taking away a lady's innocence or dispossessing her of her virginity. However, in this painting series, my premise is centered on empowering women and celebrating their pride and inherent power. The first two pieces of the series feature ladies adorned in traditional South African bids worn during the Virgin festival. The gentle pink clouds symbolize feminine power and poise, evoking the strength and grace embodied by women. A community that empowers women tends to uphold higher moral standards than one that does not. My perspective veers away from the idea of gender equality, recognizing its limitations, and instead, I believe in gender equity, providing each gender with the opportunities they need to fulfill their potential. This series aims to leave my audience with a profound appreciation for empowerment and a celebration of cultural heritage. I hope viewers will reflect on the significance of embracing one's roots while acknowledging the strength and beauty that women contribute to society. Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Paul Ayihawu...

"Be-Flowered" is deeply rooted in the African cultural heritage of a female child. In African culture, it is revered that a young woman should maintain her sexual purity until marriage, which brings immense joy and honor to her family when her husband finds her a virgin on their wedding night. The title "Be-Flowered" is derived from the concept of "Deflower," which signifies taking away a lady's innocence or dispossessing her of her virginity. However, in this painting series, my premise is centered on empowering women and celebrating their pride and inherent power. The first two pieces of the series feature ladies adorned in traditional South African bids worn during the Virgin festival. The gentle pink clouds symbolize feminine power and poise, evoking the strength and grace embodied by women. A community that empowers women tends to uphold higher moral standards than one that does not. My perspective veers away from the idea of gender equality, recognizing its limitations, and instead, I believe in gender equity, providing each gender with the opportunities they need to fulfill their potential. This series aims to leave my audience with a profound appreciation for empowerment and a celebration of cultural heritage. I hope viewers will reflect on the significance of embracing one's roots while acknowledging the strength and beauty that women contribute to society. Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Paul Ayihawu...