Kikelomo Solomon-Ayeni’s latest body of work continues her exploration of the profound and universal experience of motherhood. Known for her evocative depictions of the joys and complexities of motherhood, Kikelomo’s recent works dive deeper into the intimate bonds between mother and child, portraying the journey of life from birth to the early stages of growth.
In her previous exhibition, she focused on the experience of an African pregnant woman, capturing the anticipation and strength that pregnancy brings. This time, she shifts her attention to the joys of raising a child and embarking on a new journey. Her latest work, a series of self-portraits, encapsulates the essence of the African tradition of carrying a child on the mother’s back, particularly in Yoruba culture. The practice, deeply ingrained in the Yoruba worldview, symbolises care, warmth, and safety. It is believed that carrying a child in this manner offers the child a sense of comfort and security, a perfect metaphor for the early stages of life when a child relies entirely on the mother for guidance, protection, and nurturing.
The artist’s portrayal of a mother backing her child in various positions adds a rich layer of narrative to her work. Each image tells a different story of trust, dependence, and the natural bond that forms between mother and child. The child, snugly wrapped against the mother’s back, conveys a feeling of ease and relaxation, highlighting the child’s trust in the mother’s strength. The back, in these portraits, becomes a sanctuary—a place of warmth, love, and unspoken communication.
Kikelomo’s use of black and white tones imbues the portraits with emotional depth, stripping away the distractions of colour to focus on the purity of the mother-child connection. The monochromatic palette creates an atmosphere of simplicity and innocence, emphasising the child’s early stage of life, likened to a blank canvas. This blank canvas represents the child’s new beginning, waiting to be filled with the experiences and colours of life as they grow. The artist cleverly uses this contrast to symbolise the child’s entry into the world, a journey that starts with the comforting presence of the mother but soon becomes an independent exploration of life’s complexities.
One of the most striking elements of these works is the symbolic interpretation of the child’s position on the mother’s back. Unable to see ahead or walk on their own, the child trusts the mother to guide their journey. This evokes a broader metaphor about the role of mentors and figures of trust in our lives. Like the child who depends on the mother for safety and direction, we often rely on those who guide us, offering their wisdom, experience, and vision when we are not yet equipped to navigate life on our own. Kikelomo’s portraits beautifully encapsulate this theme, suggesting that at various stages in life, we all need someone to lean on, be it a parent, mentor, or trusted figure.
The quiet strength of the mother, evident in each portrait, is a testament to the responsibility that comes with motherhood. The artist subtly conveys the idea that this journey of raising a child is not merely about physical care but about offering vision, wisdom, and a sense of security. There is a deeper sense of purpose in these images, illustrating the role of the mother as both protector and guide, ensuring the child’s well-being while leading them into the unknown future.
Kikelomo Solomon-Ayeni’s work masterfully intertwines themes of trust, journey, and new beginnings, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the complexities and rewards of motherhood. Through her sensitive portrayal of the mother-child bond, she showed a broader concept of human relationships, guidance, and trust. Her artistic use of monochrome enhances the mood of reflection, innocence, and purity, making each piece not just a representation of motherhood but a meditation on life’s early stages and the connections that shape our growth.
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