Hand-painted in 2021 on Procreate, “Saffronia” is one of the “Four Women” from Ugonna Ikechi’s third solo collection In Translation. This 4-part series is a tribute to the monumental Nina Simone & her iconic song of the same name. Each of the 4 characters represents an African-American stereotype, thrust upon each woman by virtue of their skin colour. The Artist brings our collective focus back to these Four Women, the stories that are etched in their skin, & encourages us to look past our own exterior, past others’ & the harmful stereotypes & labels society attaches to complexion.

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“my skin is yellow
my hair is long
between two worlds
I do belong…”

Nina Simone. “Four Women”, Wild Is The Wind, UMG Recordings Inc, 1966, track 2.