Year: 2022
Medium: acrylic, charcoal, chalk and oil pastel on canvas
Dimensions: 181.3 x 151.1 cm (71 3/8 x 59 1/2 in.)
Acquired from Phillips, 2023
A portrait of a young man with calm eyes, holding colorful balloons in his hands. Perhaps he is Saheed’s close friend. This work was featured in Saheed’s first solo exhibition in the U.S., titled “Birthdays are Special” (Bill Brady Gallery, 2022), where all the works displayed at this exhibition depict the appearance of people holding balloons to celebrate birthdays. Saheed began drawing with a piece of cinder charcoal in hand from childhood, and during his college years, he continued to paint portraits at local markets to earn tuition. The background and the figure’s clothing are expressed with bold and flat color surfaces in this work. On the other hand, the figure’s skin shows a three-dimensional form and shadows created by charcoal and chalk lines, which are probably captured with a very quick hand and with great precision. The occasional blue lines inserted in the shadows visualize the deep shadows cast on the black skin. Through the contrast between the flat and vibrant colors, the model’s expression is livelier, making the three-dimensional form stand out. The feeling of wanting to depict the heartfelt blessings of someone close in painting is undeniable, and it expresses an honest and uncontrollable impulse towards painting.
