2003 | Stanley Onah I Original Oil Painting

£1,250.00

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

Size: 50cm x 40cm x 4.8cm

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

In 2003, Stanley Onah turns his gaze to an era defined by unapologetic confidence and the rise of a new kind of visibility. The figure before us radiates poise, her hair long, sleek, and meticulously styled, a cascade of “fly” freedom that mirrors the cultural pulse of the early millennium. Weave and length play their part here not as vanity, but as vocabulary: a language of empowerment and self-definition.

It was a year when Black women’s brilliance reshaped the mainstream, Beyoncé ruled the charts, Halle Berry held an Oscar, the Williams sisters reigned over tennis courts, and Tyra Banks debuted America’s Next Top Model, redefining beauty for a new generation. Onah captures that shift in spirit, where style met substance, and performance became power.

Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 2003 celebrates not just the aesthetics of the age, but the agency they symbolised: hair as declaration, glamour as strength, and womanhood as an evolving art form.

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

Size: 50cm x 40cm x 4.8cm

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

In 2003, Stanley Onah turns his gaze to an era defined by unapologetic confidence and the rise of a new kind of visibility. The figure before us radiates poise, her hair long, sleek, and meticulously styled, a cascade of “fly” freedom that mirrors the cultural pulse of the early millennium. Weave and length play their part here not as vanity, but as vocabulary: a language of empowerment and self-definition.

It was a year when Black women’s brilliance reshaped the mainstream, Beyoncé ruled the charts, Halle Berry held an Oscar, the Williams sisters reigned over tennis courts, and Tyra Banks debuted America’s Next Top Model, redefining beauty for a new generation. Onah captures that shift in spirit, where style met substance, and performance became power.

Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 2003 celebrates not just the aesthetics of the age, but the agency they symbolised: hair as declaration, glamour as strength, and womanhood as an evolving art form.

  • 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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