Heritage in Layers

Lola Okunola

40×40”

Mixed media on canvas

Okunola’s “Heritage in Layers” is a breathtaking exploration of cultural identity, femininity, and ancestral strength, masterfully constructed through her signature mixed-media collage technique. The artwork radiates an aura of regal poise, with the central figure standing in a powerful yet serene stance, enveloped by an intricate interplay of colors, textures, and symbols.

The subject’s face, an exquisite patchwork of patterns and hues, is reminiscent of African mask-making traditions fused with a modernist sensibility. Her bold, geometric features, layered with fabric and paper, create a mosaic of lived experiences and inherited legacies.

Gold, the color of royalty and divinity, is echoed in her elaborate coiled headdress, which appears sculptural and dynamic, almost as if it were a crown of wisdom passed through generations.

Draped in textured black fabric, the figure’s attire exudes both contemporary elegance and historical reverence, accentuated by golden embroidery and layered neck rings—a nod to African adomment practices that signify beauty, status, and tradition. Her arms, adomed with thick golden bangles, reinforce the theme of resilience and strength.

Set against a striking orange backdrop, the composition is further enriched by a blossoming tree, its branches adorned with delicate white flowers. This motif, symbolic of renewal, ancestry, and the passage of time, envelops the figure, placing her within a lineage of growth and transformation. The luminous sun-like halo behind her head amplifies her divine presence, suggesting enlightenment and a deep connection to heritage.