KENT OKWESA

'Dark Blue & Misunderstood' is a series of oil paintings on wooden canvas. Each stroke of acrylic and oil paint captures figures lost in contemplation amid nature's allure.

Kent Okwesa, a queer and non-binary second-generation British Nigerian, resides in a Chelsea council flat with their grandmother, a cherished responsibility. Their artistic passion involves creating characters that reflect their identity, societal dynamics, and relationships, spanning screenplays, smartphone films, paintings, songs, and dances. Over six years, art has served as a therapeutic escape from the shadows of domestic abuse. Characters like “browbopin” depict the struggles of a young artist in London, breaking free from societal norms.

Between 2019 and 2021, Kent collaborated with the Mandala theatre company, bringing the challenges of youth navigating society to the stage through spoken word, music, and physical theatre.

In 2016, their oil paintings illustrated the story of an isolated community grappling with depression, laying the groundwork for their exploration of ‘soft violence.’ Today, they utilize pink canvases to subconsciously balance asserting their space while accommodating others.

Unnamed Man In a symphony of Grey, Blue, Gold, White, Peach, and Black, a profound visage materializes. Acrylic and oil paint on canvas breathe life into this contemplative figure, eyes veiled in introspection. Bold brushstrokes meld with dark and vibrant hues, creating a captivating narrative. The background, an abstract interplay of Grey, Black, and White, adds depth, drawing the observer into a realm of profound beauty and solitude.	Unnamed Human Androgynous features dance on canvas, a kaleidoscope of Grey, Red, Gold, White, and Black. Bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors give life to an unreadable expression, hinting at tension and discomfort. The background, an enigmatic blend of Grey, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, White, and Brown, weaves obscurity and uncertainty.	Unnamed Eye In a tapestry of Grey, Red, Yellow, White, Blue, and Black, an eye speaks volumes. Bold brushstrokes, dark and vibrant, create a mesmerising portrait. The rejection of eye contact, coupled with yellow tears, translates an unspoken narrative—a poignant cry for connection.

Embark on a captivating journey with "SleepyBoy," the first of a series of short films delving into the intriguing world of BrowBoPin, a character born from Mackenzie's vivid daydreams. Witness BrowBoPin's evolution through a serene field symbolizing a rejection of hustle culture, London City portraying the constraints of urban life, and a mesmerizing blue-lit moment hinting at Mackenzie's subconscious realization. Throughout, the consistent pink attire becomes a commentary on embracing a path of self-discovery without resorting to harm—a subtle rebellion against the norms of Western culture. Explore the cinematic tale of dreams, self-reflection, and the delicate dance between reality and imagination.

Step into the vibrant world of “The Brightest Hue of Pink,” where soft violence becomes a powerful concept, challenging societal norms with the fusion of red “violence” and white “soft” into compelling pink. Picture a shattered ceramic plate, a symbol of breaking free, unleashing a cascade of vibrant pink paint in a messy yet beautiful process within the artist’s bedroom—a metaphor for asserting oneself within the confines of another’s space.

KENT OKWESA

Unnamed Man

Unnamed Human

Unnamed Eye

In a tapestry of Grey, Red, Yellow, White, Blue, and Black, an eye speaks volumes. Bold brushstrokes, dark and vibrant, create a mesmerising portrait. The rejection of eye contact, coupled with yellow tears, translates an unspoken narrative—a poignant cry for connection.