Kaja
Size: 40 in x 30 in
Date: July 2024
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Style: Realism
Subject: Realism
Framed: No
Price: $1,500
This piece portrays a strong, proud woman — a mother whose life is marked by relentless hardship and unwavering resilience. Though her expression is composed and dignified, the vivid, jewel-toned background speaks volumes. Like diamonds, it dazzles — symbolizing the many lives she has lived, the struggles she has endured, and the souls she has nurtured and saved.
Her attire tells a powerful story of perseverance. It reflects not just her personal strength, but also the collective spirit of survival shared by many in her country. Draped in gold, cobalt, diamonds, cowry shells, and rich Congolese textiles, she embodies both the wealth of her homeland and the paradox of its suffering — a land so rich in resources, yet so often denied the ability to thrive from them.
And there, nestled in the details, the Congo flag quietly waves — a constant call to return, to remember, to belong.
Side Note: Did you know that the uranium used to build the atomic bomb came from the Democratic Republic of Congo?