Matriarchs
Mixed Media on Canvas
50cm x 60cm (20in x 24in)
2026
Not For Sale
“Matriarchs” is a painting of women, unknown personally to the artist, symbolising heritage. Womanhood introduces an inherent blessing of being a matriarch. This could be witnessed and embraced fully in this life, never experienced at all, or an available potential.
The painting symbolises hope, vivacity, boldness and courage. The crown of the gele on the head of each woman conveys dignity, royalty and culture. Connected through blood, there is a sense of each woman moving through the ranks of daughter, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, while also existing as all (and much more!) at the same time.
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I use oil paints to depict the faces of the women in this portrait. The faces of my muses are painted onto a base of textured heavy body acrylic, which is what gives the piece its noticeable streaky texture.
To depict the gele (African head dress) I use locally sourced African print fabrics. I use a formwork of board to create depth and structure, then I cut them into shapes before wrapping each wedge with fabric. I stick everything down with a combination of UHU and PVA glue.
Each painting arrives unframed.
I suggest looking into floating frames (L shaped) which allow the painting to sit neatly flush with the frame. Additionally, the gele head dress still emerges from the bounds of the rectangular shape, creating a larger than life feel.
This painting (“Matriarchs”) is not for sale, NFS.
In usual circumstances, please allow up to 4 weeks for the work to arrive from the day of purchase. Artworks are shipped sooner and typically arrive well within this timeframe.
For more on returns, please view my Returns Policy.
For more information, please contact me.
The Gele Painter 