Sweet Mother

This painting draws inspiration from Prince Nico Mbarga’s iconic song Sweet Mother. Prince Nico, born to a Congolese father and a Nigerian mother, grew up in Cross River State, Nigeria. Having lost his father at a young age, he was raised solely by his mother. Sweet Mother was his heartfelt tribute to her sacrifices and unconditional love.

In this artwork, I aim to celebrate not just Prince Nico’s story but also the enduring contributions of mothers in our contemporary society. The painting depicts Prince warmly embracing his mother—a tender, deeply meaningful gesture that remains rare today among adult men, as it is rare to see grown men publicly displaying such affection towards their mothers. This intentional choice serves as a call to rekindle tenderness within masculinity, challenging stereotypes and celebrating the emotional bond between mother and child.

A prominent feature of the painting is the golden halo encircling the heads of both figures, elevating the scene to symbolizing the sacredness of the moment. Notably, the mother’s halo shines brighter and is more complete than her son’s, symbolizing the immense sacrifices and unmatched strength of mothers in raising their children particularly sons. Through this visual element, the painting seeks to honor mothers and give them the recognition they truly deserve and bring the spotlight on mothers rather than the son.