Esiri Erheriene-Essi

And All of My Friends Were There

€1,000

Edition of 3586.0 (H) × 60.0 (W) cm

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In vibrant paintings inspired by vintage photographs, Esiri Erheriene-Essi captures intimate vignettes of domestic Black life.

With 8 of 13 silkscreen layers individually hand-painted specially for the edition, the artist’s first ever print release draws focus to oft-overlooked everyday moments. These moments hold the essence of collective power and social change that Erheriene-Essi channels throughout her practice.

“It’s the greatness of these people who are just living their lives.”

International Women's Day
And All Of My Friends Were There is the fourth in a series of 6 editions drawn together by Avant Arte Chief Curator Gemma Rolls-Bentley to coincide with International Women's Day. Read the journal.

Behind the scenes

Esiri Erheriene Essi wearing a striped tshirt

Esiri Erheriene-Essi1 collaborationEsiri Erheriene-Essi is a figurative painter who depicts quiet histories of Black life. She paints from a wide collection of photographs, predominantly from the 1960s and 70s – sourced online, at flea markets and occasionally from her family archives. Erheriene-Essi begins by sketching on her computer, editing the source image and creating a sort of digital collage which is later sketched up on the canvas in ink. Before painting, she adds more images from her archive through a process of xerox transfer. Thick brushstrokes are then applied in oil in her impressionistic style. Comic-books and modernist painters from The London School such as Lucian Freud were a formative influence for the artist, while Classical painting and theorists such as Stuart Hall and Tina Campt continue to inform her work.

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Absolutely gorgeous! I have admired Danielle McKinney's work and Shelter is exceptionally beautiful. The colors, the texture - I was delighted when I opened the box. The frame and floating presentation is also perfectly matched to the beauty of the piece. Also, well done on the shipping - it came thoroughly protected. Thank you!
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very impressed with the quality of packaging and the high level finish of thr framing & artwork! look forward to pucharing more pieces in the future.
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