When we’re close to finding the love we’ve longed for, but it still feels out of reach, anxiety and doubt can take over. This longing for love can lead us to silence out of fear or keep us waiting in hope. It’s a powerful reminder of the human struggle between holding onto the dream of love and dealing with the uncertainty of whether it will ever come.

MAWU ART GALLERY

Longing Heart

Breaking free from the norms is the first step toward embracing your authentic self, where true strength lies in defying expectations and living life on your own terms.

Baggage Swagger

As we stand on the edge of what’s to come, each step forward brings both challenges and chances. We face our fears and accept the unknown with determination. The future is full of possibilities, shaped by the choices we make and the experiences we have. As we move ahead, each decision guides our path, and every experience adds to our journey. By embracing what lies ahead with open hearts and minds, we find our true potential and move forward with confidence.

Facing The Future

Hold onto your dreams with unwavering determination and a clear vision of tomorrow. Embrace the experiences that shape you and believe in the bright future ahead. Remember, perseverance and self-belief are your greatest strengths. Your dreams have the power to inspire and create a lasting legacy.

Visions of Tomorrow

“With every glance, she unveils a universe of elegance in her ebony gaze.”

Black and Beautiful

Aloofness often manifests as a sense of distance, whether physical or emotional. It’s true: “Sometimes, we crave solitude, much like the comfort of a cozy blanket on a rainy day. Yet, just as a good book thrives on a compelling plot twist, our lives flourish with human connection. So, even if you’re feeling a bit introverted, remember that we’re all in this together. Sometimes, the best company comes from a good friend or a hearty laugh.”

Aloof

In my piece “Therapy Section,” I explored the notion that everyone has someone or something that brings them calm and helps alleviate the challenges we face in our daily lives. For me, as the artist, this theme is particularly personal; creating art serves as a powerful form of therapy, regardless of my circumstances. With good music in my ears and the creative process unfolding, I find solace. While some may feel they lack such a source of comfort, it often simply means they haven’t yet discovered.

Therapy Section

Trauma affects us all. We all go through moments when we are vulnerable, experiencing heartbreak, disappointments, and unbelievable experiences that often leave scars—some that may never go away. However, we are responsible for holding ourselves together and moving on, for there is hope.

Trauma

In ‘The Search,’ I explored the concept of time and chance. While time is in our hands to use, it waits for no one. We are left searching for identity in our lifetime, which gives us meaning.

The Search

In my artwork titled “Missing Piece,” I employed a technique called “micro hatching.” The piece features a lone male figure with a blurred face, creating an illusion of movement. His left hand is colored and holding a precious stone, emphasizing the message that life’s richness doesn’t necessarily come from the multitude of activities that seem to distract us, making us look from left to right in confusion and loss of identity. Instead, it comes from discovering meaning and purpose in one pursuit. Through intricate detailing and the deliberate use of a solitary figure, I aim to convey the idea that focusing on a singular purpose can lead to a more fruitful and fulfilling existence.

Missing Piece

This painting illustrates a moment of daily life, highlighting the women of our (Cameroonian) culture who go to the marsh to draw water. The painting captures the lively exchanges and conversations between them. The term “Japap” means “commentary” in our (Bamileke) language, reflecting the importance of dialogue in this scene.

Je Japap au marigot (Japap at the marsh)

Through the eyes of a child, this painting depicts a mother immersed in deep reflection, nurturing hope for a better future for herself and her loved ones.

L'attente au crépuscule (Waiting at dusk)

This piece is about two peers who have lived in peace and love since birth, in a community marked by jealousy and bitterness.

Girls

This piece highlights the transition to maturity, using children to illustrate what it’s like to become parents and take on new responsibilities.

Magni et Tagni (Magni and Magni)

An African girl emerges with a look that pierces the soul, intense and deep, as if it held the secrets of generations. Her hairstyle, a work of art in itself, is composed of braids adorned with vibrantly colored beads that dance with each movement, reflecting the richness of her culture and the joy of her spirit. Painted with many strokes and layers of oil pastel, the shades of blue, red, green, and yellow of the beads contrast beautifully with the dark background of the black paper. This combination not only highlights the girl’s beauty and expression, but also creates a visual and emotional impact that can leave a mark on whoever looks at it. It is a testament to the innocence, strength, and hope that resides in every young look.

The Colors of Innocence is a series of portraits where through her colors, the artist invites us to appreciate the richness and depth of melanin, challenging conventional beauty standards. The warm tones of oil pastels are mixed on Bristol paper, creating

Colors of Innocence 8

This painting reflects the energy and brilliance of the third chakra, associated with personal power, self-esteem, and transformation. The use of gold and ornaments symbolizes the wealth and abundance that can be achieved by balancing this chakra. Power, energy, strength, and the Sun can all be felt in this painting.

The image of the girl surrounded by the Manipura chakra can serve as a constant reminder of the importance of personal empowerment and self-confidence. It can inspire those who see it to seek and develop their own inner power.

Manipura Chackra

An African child is presented with a majestic presence, possibly of nobility, evidenced by the large gold necklace that adorns his neck, with a precious Jadeite-Albite stone shining in the center. This symbol of wealth, purity, balance and power not only highlights his status, but also reflects the prosperity and abundance that surrounds him.

 

The child’s gaze, serene and profound, conveys wisdom and inner strength that inspires those who contemplate him.

This portrait is a testimony to wealth, not only in terms of material goods but also to the richness of the spirit and culture that the child represents.

Prosperity portrait 12

Nobility, royalty and innocence are intertwined in the look of the little African prince, creating a deep connection with the viewer. The vibrant colors and intricate details in the young prince’s clothing suggest a rich cultural heritage. The softness in the composition can inspire feelings of hope and the enduring spirit of youth. This beautiful portrait not only highlights the nobility of the subject but also the beauty and dignity of his culture.

The Colors of Innocence is a series of portraits where through her colors, the artist invites us to appreciate the richness and depth of melanin, challenging conventional beauty standards. The warm tones of oil pastels are mixed on Bristol paper, creating a palette that encompasses a variety of skin tones. Each child is a testament to human diversity and the beauty inherent in it.

Colors of Innocence 6

This work is a vibrant celebration of colors and emotions, capturing the essence of childhood and purity. Using oil pastels, I have captured the delicacy and strength in the innocent gaze of a child, wrapped in rich traditional fabrics that tell stories of culture and heritage. Each stroke is imbued with passion and warmth, with the intention of bringing a spirit full of life and beauty to any space where it is displayed.

The Colors of Innocence is a series of portraits where through her colors, the artist invites us to appreciate the richness and depth of melanin, challenging conventional beauty standards. The warm tones of oil pastels are mixed on Bristol paper, creating a palette that encompasses a variety of skin tones. Each child is a testament to human diversity and the beauty inherent in it.

Colors of innocence 3

The title of this piece is inspired by a song from the renowned Nigerian folk singer Tunji Oyelana. The song includes the phrase: “Aláàrù tó ń jẹ búrẹ́dì, ṣ'awọ orí ẹ̀ ló ńjẹ tí ò mọ̀,” which translates to: “A porter who eats bread is unknowingly chewing his own scalp.”

This work symbolizes the interconnectedness between our actions and their consequences. A porter, traditionally burdened with carrying heavy loads, finds the act of eating bread—an item of nourishment—metaphorically akin to chewing on his own weary, stressed scalp. The rope in the piece represents “Karma,” which operates in a cyclical manner. Just as a rope forms a continuous loop, karma moves in a circle, ensuring that actions, whether good or bad, eventually come full circle. It may take years—10, 20, or even 50—but it will invariably return.

Aláàrù

Africa is often portrayed in international news as a land of distressing messes, hunger, incurable diseases, relentless horror, internet scams, devastation, starvation, and chronic poverty.”

Are we merely a headline of despair and disgrace? How can we transform this image and reshape our narrative?

Headline

Here’s to the Good times we had,
and the laughs we shared,
Here’s to the life we lived.
and the memories we made,
Here’s to the gloss around your lips,
and warmth around your heart,
Here’s to those we lost.
and the tears that dropped,
For hence,
We raise a Toast to new beginnings
in Fear and Faith.

Raise a Toast II

Time has gone by, but memories we keep.
I might as well live for now, worry less for tomorrow.
Rock the moment, never dwell in the past,
for their validation is not worth it!
Self-confidence is the best outfit,
rock it!
Step into the circle, POP IT!
Don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem!
POP IT!
You only get one go at it, why worry
when you can POP IT!

Pop it

Cheers!

A taste of wine, a welcome gesture,
one sunny day, in summer vesture,
we sit, and talk of times gone by,
To laugh, to joke, to smile, to sigh,
with a garden full of scented blooms,
and subtle warmth that fills the rooms,
sweet melodies to tune the mind,
Thus leaving all our cares behind

Author: Enestine Northover