Dancing With The Stars

Lola Okunola

40×30”

Mixed media on cardboard

Okunola’s “Dancing with Stars” is a dazzling celebration of movement, identity, and cultural elegance, brought to life through a masterful fusion of mixed-media collage. This striking composition presents two figures entwined in a dance, their fragmented yet harmonious forms capturing both intimacy and vibrancy in an explosion of color, texture, and pattern.

Okunola’s signature style marked by cubist-inspired facial abstraction and intricate textile layering-imbues the piece with a sense of fluidity and rhythm. The figures’ faces, pieced together from a mosaic of bold fabrics and patterns, reflect a deeply personal and cultural narrative. Their eyes, though stylized, are expressive, drawing the viewer into their world of festivity and connection.The woman’s swirling, psychedelic dress, adorned with delicate floral appliqués and tulle accents, contrasts beautifully with the man’s sharply tailored suit, shimmering with golden embellishments. The use of rich materials glittering textures, embossed fabrics, and sculptural elements- elevates the piece beyond mere portraiture, transforming it into a tactile experience. Their intertwined postures suggest a shared moment of joy, an unspoken language of movement that transcends time and space.

The backdrop, composed of alternating vertical stripes of teal and ornate gold, further enhances the piece’s dynamic energy, reminiscent of grand ballrooms or celestial patterns. The interplay of traditional African motifs with contemporary aesthetics creates a layered narrative one that speaks to heritage, identity, and the joy of artistic expression.