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Reconstructing identity through portraiture, Ekene Emeka-Maduka’s work emerges from her nuanced reflections on heritage, femininity, Blackness and culture.

Maduka’s first Avant Arte release is conceived in collaboration with critic and curator Larry Ossei-Mensah. Each is finished with a hand-painted layer of oil and gesso, in which Ekene has added significant detail, depth and texture to the entirety of the surface — positioning the works in an exciting liminal space between edition and original.