Aya Painting

Aya is a portrait of the women in society who are forced to endure innumerable hardships every day. The colors were used to suggest a sense of urgency and create dynamic motion. They were carefully selected and placed to draw attention to the work and its concept. The surface was treated using brusque palette knife strokes in a process of application and removal in order to create depth in its layers. The sheer scale of the painting is intended to overwhelm the viewer. In contrast, blank eyes create a sense of detachment that reflects society’s abandonment of moral responsibility. The symbols were created from plain paper and affixed onto the surface; that they are not integral to the canvas suggests the ephemeral nature of their meaning. Aya is the name of the Adinkra symbol of the fern, which represents endurance, perseverance and defiance against oppression. In Ghana it is worn with pride, like a medal or a declaration of bravery. The number of times the symbol is used is representative of each day of the week that the plight and sacrifices of these women are overlooked. These hollow symbols serve as a reminder that far from improving the conditions and circumstances of these women, we fail to even acknowledge them. This is not a portrait of an individual. Instead, it is an amalgamation of the many faceless women who are still marginalized and excluded at every level of discussion about their lives and place in society.

Painting:Acrylic on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:72 W x 50 H x 1.3 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.