Richard Mudariki

b. 1985, Zimbabwe


Barber Shop, 2020
Oil on canvas
60x60cm

Image courtesy the artist
Richard Mudariki is a painter known for surreal, political satire. As such he puts a humorous spin on often dark subject-matter. In this new work, commissioned by the collector he puts a tongue-in-cheek take on the ubiquitous boards used to advertise different hairstyles in street style salons in West Africa. The artist also evokes another characteristic associated with African art – the carved wood mask.  Similarly, he references soccer players, who are often identified through their bold or distinctive haircuts. Other male identities are summoned through these hairstyles.