Omoleye

“Omoleye,” explore the really complex decision a both male and female face when choosing a partner, and how much culture and society play a part in that choice. On this bright blue background, you see two main figures. There’s a male figure in blues, and behind him, almost like a shadow or a presence from tradition, is a figure covered entirely by a veil, except for their face, hinting at certain expectations or influences. In front, a
female figure, bold in her reds and yellows, with her hands raised and wearing jewelry, represents the modern woman. She’s showing a freedom with her body, a kind of exposure, which is her own choice. For me, this painting shows that moment of choice, and all the visible and invisible pressures that come with it especially how different cultures and societal expectations are often not in tune with how some women express themselves or choose to present themselves. It’s about that tug-of-war between personal freedom and what society expects.