Olokun by Erik Olivera

Olokun by Erik Olivera, acrylic on canvas/acrílico lienzo, 31in x 26in.

This is a mesmerizing portrayal of the Yoruba deity who reigns over the deep sea. In this striking piece, a beautiful androgynous figure with a bald head marked with intricate fish scales emerges as a commanding profile against a canvas of intense, varied blues. The piercing and almost menacing gaze capture the essence of Olokun’s powerful presence. Blue transparent beads, drape elegantly around the neck, creating a sense of reality and ancient wisdom. The deep blues in the background evoke both majesty and danger, mirroring the unpredictable nature of the sea. ‘Olokun’ invites viewers to confront the divine energy that governs the profound mysteries of the ocean, encapsulating a delicate balance between beauty and the formidable forces that lie beneath the surface.

Erik Olivera is a contemporary painter from Havana, Cuba, known for his unique style of portraiture. The results of each brush stroke in Erik Olivera’s art is as colorful and fascinating as the complex foundation of Cuba’s ethnic map. The artist has taken it upon himself to incorporate his African heritage in a sort of freestyle composition that honors the traditions, dreams and aspirations of his land and his ancestors. The dazzling technical virtuosity that imbues all his works with a staggering force situates him in a special place among the Afro-Cuban artists. His work is in private collections in Japan, France, USA, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Canada and Norway, among other countries. He holds the First Prize of African Descent Contest, organized by the UNSI, and his work Obbatalá (2010) is part of the Yevgeny Yevtushenko Museum’s collection in Moscow.