Symbolism

The Women of Dignity portrays two women with markedly long necks, wide eyes, and large, round heads whose sizes are disproportionate to the size of their body. The painting symbolic as it embodies the unique, non-naturalistic style of representation in African art.

Color explosion

As is common in Moyo’s works, one sees the rich use of different colours – yellow, blue, white, brown, green, orange, and black.

Etching patterns

The patterns were etched as a decorative composition after the painting was done on the canvas.

Connected to culture

Moyo never lost touch with his home and his art was centered on his indigenous Yoruba heritage. The piece seeks to celebrate African women and the pride of womanhood.

Inspired by traditional textiles

The textural patterns all over the painting are inspired by the patterns commonly found on the Yoruba textile.

Traditional patterns

Boyer was an indigenous Canadian artist of the Métis people and he used traditional Canadian patterns in his work, like the bilateral symmetry seen here.

Fields of color

Boyer combined Canadian Northern Plains designs with the influence of contemporary abstract, color field painters.

Texture and tone

Boyer used thickly applied paint to add texture and tone to his work. Up close you can see the layers of paint on top of one another.