£1,250
Artworks / Stanley Onah / 1927
Stanley Onah
1927
£3,300
- Medium
- Oil and oil pastel on linen-lined board, tray framed
- Size
- 96 × 120 cm · Large
- Style
- Portraiture
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Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In 1927, Stanley Onah captures the charged glamour of the Harlem Renaissance, a moment when creativity pulsed through smoky clubs and crowded streets, and the Cotton Club stood as the stage where identity performed itself in full colour and contradiction. The figure’s immaculate conk hairstyle: a product of assimilation, yes, but also a testament to pride, precision, and the desire to be seen in a world still shaped by exclusion.
Sheet music from W.C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues drifts across the scene, its melody echoing the birth of jazz and the defiant joy of a people reimagining themselves after bondage. Through rhythm, image, and style, Onah’s composition pays homage to those who transformed survival into song, and struggle into elegance.
Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 1927 marks a turning point, a portrait of becoming, where self-expression negotiates the line between conformity and creation, and beauty itself becomes an act of both adaptation and autonomy.
About the artist
Stanley Onah
Stanley Onah is a contemporary artist whose profound work delves into the complex ideas and concepts intertwined with the human condition. His artistic focus primarily revolves around figurative art, with a keen eye for portraiture and the human form.
Stanley's artistic journey finds its roots in the vibrant blend of British and Nigerian influences. Born and raised in the dynamic metropolis of London, his early fascination with art was ignited by the pages of comic books, where he first attempted to replicate the captivating drawings that ignited his imagination. While art has always held a special place in his heart, Stanley didn't embark on a formal study of the craft. It was only later in life, at the age of 33, that he made the courageous decision to pick up the paintbrush and embark on his artistic voyage.
Since that pivotal moment, Stanley has been dedicated to crafting his own visual language, expressing the intricate nuances of human existence through the medium of paint. In 2022, he completed his inaugural solo series titled "Born Astride the Grave," a body of work that explores the profound themes of life and mortality. More recently, he unveiled his second solo series, titled "Altered State," drawing inspiration from post-impressionism and cubism. This series serves as a testament to his artistic evolution, demonstrating his ability to seamlessly blend traditional and modern influences into thought-provoking and visually stunning pieces.
Stanley Onah's art is a window to the human soul, a reflection of the human experience in all its depth and complexity. With each brushstroke, he captures the essence of his subjects and explores the intricacies of our existence. His work is a journey into the realms of emotion, identity, and the enigmatic tapestry of life, allowing viewers to connect with the deep, universal themes he explores.
As an artist who discovered his true calling later in life, Stanley's story serves as an inspiration to those who embark on creative journeys, reminding us that it's never too late to embrace one's passion and cultivate it into a powerful form of self-expression. Through his work, Stanley Onah invites us to ponder the profound questions of our existence and to appreciate the beauty found in the complexities of the human spirit.
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