Printed Royalty is a visual reclamation of identity, presence, and power. This Abfillage series blends painted portraiture with collaged Nigerian newspaper clippings, creating a layered conversation between the personal and political. Each figure wears a crown—not just as an ornament, but as a symbol of dignity amidst distortion. The yellow facial markings evoke ancestral traditions, while the textured, vibrant backgrounds interrupt the dominance of printed headlines, asserting individuality against systemic noise.
By embedding these faces within local newsprint, I question who gets to be seen, remembered, or silenced in history. The ink-stained text becomes both a backdrop and a battleground—where beauty, heritage, and resilience rise to the surface. Through this series, I honor everyday Black figures as monarchs of memory, worthy of reverence beyond the margins.
