Vanessa Lekule

My work seeks to dissect, question, and respond to contrasting narratives masked as truths in my subconscious and conscious mind. From my pious and authoritarian African upbringing to my sudden introduction to Western culture, my paintings allow for moments of stillness, play, and self-discovery. Aiding in these conversations are references to a blend of various African sculptures, textile designs, and landscapes intermixed with the aesthetic of contemporary Western culture/art. Of particular interest to me is the visual language greatly inspired by a collection of artists (Peter Saul, Jim Nutt, Karl Wirsum, Ed Flood…) whose work I feel has mastered the understanding of color vibration, texture, form, and space. From the bold use of colors to the playfulness and abstraction of the forms, I intend for my paintings to read as playgrounds and moments of curiosity.