These large-scale oil paintings of chrome masks are the creations of Brooklyn-based artist Kip Omolade. The portraits were created to depict the subtleties of the female faces, as well as adding a reflective element which gives each piece the appearance of being three-dimensional.
The pieces form part of a series entitled Diovadiova Chrome, in which Omolade makes reference in part to historical African sculptures, while also exploring contemporary aspects of identity, luxury and immortality.
“The oil paintings are psychological studies that investigate immortality, the universal masks we all wear and contemporary notions of beauty,” shares Omolade.
The artworks are the result of a labour intensive process, where Omolade tasks a cast of a model’s face, and then reworks the cast to produce a version in resin. A chrome layer is added, along with artificial eyelashes. This sculpture then serves as a model for Omolade’s paintings, which can measure up to seven feet tall.
Omolade first began his career working as a graffiti artist while interning at Marvel Comics and the Centre for African Art. He later went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Arts New York. You can see more of his work via his Instagram site.
Images courtesy of Kip Omolade