On my own. Painting

KWABENA BUDU Ghanaian, b. 1989 My work seeks to explore the concept of regaining ourselves, power, culture, the idea of self, and the idea of being black and proud. Exploring sense of self, belonging and nostalgia, messages of strength and positivity creep their way into figures in my work, with the special treatment of African symbols carved into the skin of my black figures . Signs of encouragement, I bring flowers into my work as I find they are a nurturing and natural comfort to grow over my artwork and they mimic the human in many ways. My colorful , expressive portraits and urban sceneries reflect on human interaction and emotions in modern African societies, seamlessly mixing African culture and symbolism in a universal contemporary. My work also examines the impact of human interactions in view of universal human values, emotions and the need for human dignity that connect us all underneath our differences. It reveals in a contemporary way the incredible richness of our heritage to others who may not know. It aims to encourage curiosity and openness towards diversity, to nourish renewed awareness, understanding, self-confidence and trust.