1990 | Stanley Onah I Original Oil Painting

£3,350.00
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Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed

Size: 96cm x 120cm x 4.8cm

Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025

In 1990, Stanley Onah captures a sun-drenched moment of youthful ease and quiet assertion. A young man, headphones cocooning him in sound, exhales smoke into the warm afternoon air while his beatbox hums beside him — a ritual of rhythm and reflection. His tightly faded haircut, rendered with Onah’s characteristic precision, becomes more than a style choice: it is a subtle emblem of continuity, linking the artistry of contemporary grooming to ancestral traditions of adornment and identity.

Part of Onah’s series From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, the work explores how personal expression and heritage coexist within the everyday. The scene glows with nostalgia, yet feels undeniably present — a testament to how culture evolves, not by erasure, but through transformation. In this intimate portrait, Onah reminds us that even in moments of stillness, history hums beneath the surface.

Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed

Size: 96cm x 120cm x 4.8cm

Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025

In 1990, Stanley Onah captures a sun-drenched moment of youthful ease and quiet assertion. A young man, headphones cocooning him in sound, exhales smoke into the warm afternoon air while his beatbox hums beside him — a ritual of rhythm and reflection. His tightly faded haircut, rendered with Onah’s characteristic precision, becomes more than a style choice: it is a subtle emblem of continuity, linking the artistry of contemporary grooming to ancestral traditions of adornment and identity.

Part of Onah’s series From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, the work explores how personal expression and heritage coexist within the everyday. The scene glows with nostalgia, yet feels undeniably present — a testament to how culture evolves, not by erasure, but through transformation. In this intimate portrait, Onah reminds us that even in moments of stillness, history hums beneath the surface.

  • Native Londoner, Onah’s practice is influenced by his blended British/Nigerian heritage – exuding a strength and grit that speaks to London’s underground art scene. His use of colour and understanding of light oozes connections to the rich tapestry and texture of traditional Nigerian art. His portraits, often starkly back-lit or drenched in a ‘golden hour’ haze allow him to capture a pure emotive dialogue with the viewer.

    Onah’s early fascination with comic book artistry is prevalent in his works with a clear nod to artists such as Frank Miller & Dave Gibbons; this marriage of polar aesthetics have allowed Onah to shape an unmistakable visual identity evident in each painting.

    Onah’s latest series delves deep into the human psyche, reflecting the intricate emotional landscape experienced in the aftermath of trauma. Drawing from both personal and observed encounters, the artist invites viewers on a journey of contemplation, welcoming them in, to explore life’s profound questions and discover beauty within the depths of the human spirit.

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