Monica Ikegwu

Monica Ikegwu, the hyper-realist portrait painter, captivates audiences with her unparalleled ability to breathe life into canvas through meticulous attention to detail. With a masterful command over the brush, Ikegwu transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary works of art, seamlessly capturing the essence and emotion of her subjects. Her hyper-realistic portraits not only showcase technical brilliance but also reveal a profound understanding of human expression, allowing viewers to connect deeply with the stories embedded in each stroke. Ikegwu’s art stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of realism, leaving an indelible mark on the world of contemporary portraiture.

Jessica, 2024
oil on canvas
48 x 36 ″

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Monica Ikegwu – Statement

Statement

The primary focus of my work is African American youth and current fashion trends as a form of celebrating the Black aesthetic and self-identity. I strive to capture the essence of my subjects through photo-realistic portraits. Applying oil to canvas, I enhance the figure by rendering dramatic textured backgrounds with hues complementing their clothing and flesh tones.

Black youth are often judged negatively by their appearance; an afro, braids, barbershop cut, tattoo, hoodie, and other traditional dress styles place them in the immediate threat zone. When people outside of the Black community observe my paintings, I want them to try and imagine who the individual is while placing all preconceived notions and stereotypes aside. And when encountering Black youth, I hope they will consider, as when viewing the subject in my work, that the individual’s outward appearance is a positive form of self-expression.
For African Americans viewing my paintings, I want them to feel a sense of connectivity and pride—and discover a familiar face within, one that reminds them of themselves, a friend, or a family member.

My process when creating portraits is to collaborate with the sitter. I allow them to determine their pose and clothing, thus taking charge of their image. Often featured in my paintings are my friends and family members. But I also venture outside of that circle and deliberately select African Americans of varied skin colors to elevate and celebrate the diversity of skin tones within our race.

Jazz, 2024
oil on canvas
48 x 36 ″

Monica Ikegwu – Biography

Biography

Monica Ikegwu (b.1998, Baltimore, Maryland) is a figurative painter. Ikegwu earned a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MFA from the New York Academy of Art.

In presenting the notion of the Black figure that is captivating and unconventional, Ikegwu uses color, fluid lines, and textured backgrounds to compose hyperrealist imagery. The concepts for her paintings stem from her surroundings, experiences, and encounters with people in Baltimore. The subjects presented in Ikegwu’s paintings are often her friends, siblings, and other family members from whom she draws her inspiration as she watches them progress through life.

Ikegwu is among the eight African American artists featured in the 2022 Venice Biennale exhibition The Afro-Futurist Manifesto: Blackness Reimagined, curated by Myrtis Bedolla of Galerie Myrtis. The exhibit explores the theme of Black life on the continuum of its imagined future presented in the Personal Structures art fair.

Ikegwu earned first place in the XL Catlin Art prize (2018), was a YoungArts Finalist (2017), a Gold medal winner in the NAACP ACT-SO National competition (2016), and a Scholastic silver medal portfolio winner (2016). Her work was exhibited at the XL Catlin Art Prize traveling exhibition and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in 2018.

Photograph by Lia Latty