Hand-painted in 2021 on Procreate, “What’s Going On?” was the first release from Ugonna Ikechi’s third solo collection In Translation. This painting, like the Johnny Rain song that inspires it, scathingly critiques the authoritative systems that govern our societies & shape our lives through policy & propaganda dictated by their own beliefs & biases against certain communities. The Artist aims to inspire audiences to think about & ponder what’s really going on around them.

_

“drinkin’ the wine from the Fountain of Youth
I just wanna shine, what am I to do?
what a sign of the times
what’s goin’ on now?…”

Johnny Rain, Xodiak. “Barry, What’s Going On?” 11, Odd Dream / Empire, 2015, track 1.