just between us

Gifted portraits

Tamara Okudu - Portrait of mum (pencil, A3)

Tamara creates art mostly as creative outlet. Whether to work out personal problems and experiences, or to just simply unwind, her pieces aren’t always made to be hung on to. Often, they become gifts for others. Her mum is the biggest collector of Tamara’s artworks. The portrait of her was done when Tamara was a teenager, and has remained on the living room wall for almost a decade now. Her portrait of Lágbájá hangs opposite it, as an interest passed from mother to daughter.

Portrait of Lágbájá hanging in Tamara's mum's house

Lágbájá is also a tie to the Nigerian heritage between mother and daughter. A Yoruba musician who is loud and proud of this, Lágbájá has always been very vocal about social reform in his lyrics too. Singing of reform in the language of his people refutes the need for a white knight saviour that so many western countries purport. It is art made for those in Lágbájá’s community, with space for the outsider when they view it through this community’s perspective.

Tamara Okudu - Portrait of Lágbájá (acrylic on canvas, 12inches x 18inches)

It is not dissimilar to Tamara’s own practice, nor that of the group as a whole. The art made is always inclusive, but the perspective and audience it is primarily made for is always those in the artists’ respective communities. 

Tamara Okudu - Portrait of Cher (acrylic on canvas, 16inches x 24inches)

Created for a met gala themed birthday party, ‘Portrait of Cher’ is the last in the series to still be in Tamara’s possession. All others have been gifted already, with Cher well on her way to someone else’s home. The collective nature of this community is surpassed only by their nature to share too. 

Gift note on the back of Portrait of Cher
Tamara Okudu - Portrait of Elouise (oil on canvas, 16 inches x 24 inches)

Some works are created solely to be gifts too. The portrait of Elouise, curator of this project, was a birthday gift. Taken from her interests in Baroque paintings, and adding in personal anecdotes like her chihuahua and her fan, it is a personal gift that reflects the link between artist and subject matter, and friend to friend.