By Osa Mbonu-Amadi, Arts Editor

A recurring theme in Precious’ Ozemoya art paintings is the exploration of movement, energy, and symbolism.

Take, for instance, in her painting “Cosmos”, displayed as part of the Astral exhibition on November 29 -30, 2024, in the United Kingdom, Precious explores the theme of movement through an interplay of symbols and colours. Using acrylic pouring, she achieves the fluid abstraction that defines this piece.

The flowing, wavy lines in various shades suggest the natural motion of currents or ocean waves, while the seamless transition from dark, cosmic tones to lighter, ethereal blues creates a captivating sense of depth. The addition of gold along the boundary between these two areas introduces an element of elegance and contrast, guiding the viewer’s eye across the canvas.

What stands out in the painting is its sense of balance between the organic and the abstract. The flowing curves and lines suggest natural forms, yet their precise execution gives the work an abstract quality that invites interpretation. The smooth, fluid transition between the dark cosmic section and the lighter, softer blues creates a captivating sense of depth and movement. The gold accents along the edges not only enhance the painting composition’s elegance but also serve as a visual guide, drawing attention to the dynamic contrast between calm and energy. The overall effect is one of wonder and tranquillity, as the viewer is drawn into a dream-like realm where the boundaries between the universe and earth seem to blur. The gold and cosmic purple areas might symbolise the intersection of different forces, such as the transition between earthly and celestial realms—an exploration of movement between water and sky. In this sense, the painting could be seen as a metaphor for the balance between chaos and serenity or a connection between the earthly and the celestial.

Rather than directly stating the meaning of her art paintings, the artist encourages viewers to explore and discover interpretations through an open-ended lens, thus transcending the limitations of conventional art. Her bold approach offers a different perspective in the visual arts world.

Each brushstroke she lays on the canvas is carefully considered, contributing meaningfully to the overall composition, but also an openness that allows the work to breathe and evolve within the viewer’s eye. Her ability to evoke mood through her choice of palette is skilful and speaks to a deep understanding of colour dynamics. Her use of various techniques, particularly her meticulous use of acrylics, is one of the hallmarks of Precious’ abstract paintings.

In another of her exhibited work, “All That Was Not Said”, featured in the Archives in Paucity exhibition on December 13 -17, 2024 in the United Kingdom, Precious uses a thick impasto technique that infuses the painting with vibrant colours employed with thick, textured layers, generates a tangible energy that leaps off the canvas. Vivid blues, purples, and oranges collide and merge, forming a mesmerising dance of colour. This dynamic tension between fluidity and rigidity gives the piece a sense of release that seems refined. It is through this tactile application of paint that the artist work transcends the traditional confines of the two-dimensional, suggesting depth and movement, both emotionally and physically.

The composition of her artwork pulls the viewer inward with a magnetic force. The bold, textured brushstrokes form an immersive, tunnel-like effect, giving the painting a tunnel-like quality that feels almost immersive. The contrasting interplay of light and dark, of intense hues and subtle gradients, beckons one to venture deeper into the heart of the painting, drawing the viewer’s eye towards the centre, beckoning an individual to embark on a visual journey. There is an inherent paradox in this work—its mystery and complexity invite engagement, yet its fluidity and openness never fully reveal themselves. It is as if the painting holds a secret, one that will only be unveiled through personal reflection and interpretation.

The emotional resonance of the artist’s painting is equally striking. The colors themselves seem to act as emotional signifiers. Blue might evoke intuition, purple introspection, and orange vitality. These colours merge and shift, creating a narrative of transitions, of passages through time and emotional states. The piece is a metaphor for the unwritten, the unsaid, capturing the in-between moments of life—the liminal spaces that often evade concrete representation. In this way, the artist’s painting becomes a meditation on the unseen and unspoken elements of human experience, engages the viewer on an emotional and intellectual level, inviting them to interpret its narrative, which feels both mysterious and welcoming.

By blending colours with a sense of openness, Precious invites her audience to discover their own meanings, encouraging a dialogue between the artwork and the viewer.