Dárē Akinwole — Interlude to Despair — ArtCentre of Plano

2023, Acrylic on Canvas, 30x30x2 in. My body of work is a series of portrait paintings focused on faces and hands as the primary sites of emotional expression. Each painting is a unique encounter, created to recall heightened emotional states through intensity rather than narrative or likeness. My compositions are deliberately confrontational, using cropped framing and compressed space to amplify gesture, expression, and emotional tension. I also use vibrant colors in combination with strong chiaroscuro to heighten drama and presence. These choices draw attention to moments of vulnerability or strength in the faces and hands—including using bold, unrealistic colors to intensify mood and response. Through this approach, the portraits compel the viewer, sparking an immediate, visceral response. My portraits are painted with acrylic paint on canvas because of the medium’s versatile nature and its responsiveness to my technique.