“Hold It In Your Mouth A Little Longer” by Toyin Odutola
“Hold It In Your Mouth A Little Longer” is a magnificent new piece by 28-year-old Nigerian-American artist Toyin Odutola , whose signature style is a use of texture, light, and pattern unlike I’ve ever seen. She describes her work as follows:
“Black Portrait: Where some may see flat, static narratives, I see a spectrum of tonal gradations and realities. What I am creating is literally black portraiture with ballpoint pen ink. I’m looking for that in-between state in an individual where the overarching definition is lost.
Skin as geography is the terrain I expand by emphasizing the specificity of blackness. From there, the possibilities of portraying a fully-fledged person are endless.”
The 30in x 40in “Hold It” is comprised of charcoal, pastel, and graphite on paper. If you like this, stop by San Francisco’s Jenkins Johnson Gallery to see Toyin’s work in Seven Sisters , a group exhibit, now through December 7th.
Also, be sure to keep up with Toyin on Tumblr , Facebook , and Twitter .
