Esther Phillips

Esther Phillips (Jungel Queen) is a painter whose work explores motherhood, identity, and diasporic memory through a West African lens. Raised in Germany with Nigerian heritage, her practice is shaped by lived experiences of cultural displacement and inherited identity.

Working through figurative painting, Phillips centres the maternal body as a site of memory and transmission. Her work examines the transition from womanhood into motherhood, illuminating narratives of African women—particularly West African mothers—that remain underrepresented within the art world.

Through layered compositions and emotionally charged forms, she creates paintings that reflect on belonging, inheritance, and the psychological weight of lived experience.



Esther's dedication to the fine arts has aided her in discovering her distinct identity and aesthetic. Acrylic, oil, and digital media were used as mediums. Exploring different mediums allows Esther to experiment and delve into the depths of her imagination, where her true passions lie.

Trained at college level in painting, with a practice further developed through self-directed study and experimentation. Her learning is shaped by independent research into African art histories, diasporic narratives, and contemporary painting. This combination of formal training and intuitive exploration informs her distinctive visual language and conceptual approach.

Group Exhibition, Rebirth, London, UK (2026)
2026 — Rebirth (upcoming)

Group Exhibition
2025 — Resonance Fashion Show: A Celebration of Fashion, Art & Sustainability
London
2023 — Community Showcase with Nicola Arts

Walthamstow, London

2023 — Cvision Art Group Exhibition

North London