M7

Currently not on view

M7

2015

Toyin Ojih Odutola (American (born Nigeria), born 1985)

A regular ballpoint pen sparked Toyin Ojih Odutola’s initial love of art-making. Using only basic drawing materials—pen, pencil, pastel, charcoal—Ojih Odutola explores the representation of skin as a surface and as a social marker of identity. Here she chose to render the prismatic skin of her subject in pencil. Working on black paper, she blended and shaded the graphite to create a silvery patchwork of textures and tones on the figure’s upper torso and face. “I’ve always felt the portrait is an occasion for marks to happen,” the artist has said. “I’ve never viewed the portrait as about the sitter.” Ojih Odutola’s shining compositions reimagine the genre of portraiture.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Date:

2015

Artist:

Toyin Ojih Odutola (American (born Nigeria), born 1985)

Medium:

Graphite on black mat board

Dimensions:

Sheet (sight): 10 × 14 3/16 inches (25.4 × 36.1 cm)

Classification:

Drawings

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Marion Stroud Fund for Contemporary Art on Paper, 2015

Accession Number:

2015-44-1

Geography:

Made in New York, New York, United States, North and Central America

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view