Sikelela Owen

Sikelela Owen explores scenes of leisure and intimacy, capturing moments that feel both effortless and deeply considered, echoing 19th-century modernist visions of middle-class life while bringing a distinctly contemporary perspective. Yet her work introduces a distinctly contemporary perspective, depicting predominantly Black figures engaged in everyday rituals among family and friends, subtly challenging traditional representations while asserting presence and identity. Her compositions often feature undefined, suggestive landscapes built from electric, monochromatic underpaintings, creating a sense of otherworldly or imagined locales. Figures inhabit these spaces with quiet deliberation, casting shadows that interact with the picture plane and establish depth, movement, and relational tension. Through these interactions, Owen balances the intimate with the social, portraying scenes that feel both personal and culturally resonant. Although her work is not overtly historical, it gestures toward the layered trajectory from modern to postmodern art, skillfully blending visual languages, vernacular influences, and formal strategies. In doing so, her paintings cultivate a dialogue between tradition and contemporaneity, leisure and ritual, intimacy and community, resulting in compositions that are at once subtly playful, socially aware, and visually compelling. ...

Founded in London in 2011 by Maria Varnava, Tiwani Contemporary exhibits and represents international contemporary artists. Specifically, the gallery champions artists from Africa and its diaspora. To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, in February 2022 Tiwani Contemporary launched a purpose-built 2,000sq ft space on Victoria Island, Lagos. For Maria Varnava, who grew up in Nigeria, this is considered a homecoming. Besides its regular programme of exhibitions, Tiwani Contemporary Lagos collaborates with G.A.S –Guest Artists Space–, Yinka Shonibare’s Foundation, to offer residencies for international artists from the programme who are interested in expanding their creative practice and exchanging with local artists. The gallery aims to collaborate and contribute to the arts ecosystem in Lagos through its programme of exhibitions, talks and publications. The gallery is a regular exhibitor at Art X Lagos. Meanwhile, Tiwani Contemporary runs a programme of exhibitions in London and its programme of International Art Fairs. ...