Chlöe

Mar Yebra

Oil with fabric on canvas

50″x50″

Chlöe
From the Femininity and Race Series

Chlöe is a powerful contemporary portrait that explores the intersection of race, femininity, and cultural identity. This mixed media painting commands attention through its vibrant palette, arresting gaze, and layered symbolism—making it a standout work in the Femininity and Race series.

Set against a bold, saturated teal background, Chlöe meets the viewer with calm strength and unwavering presence. Her gaze is steady and unflinching, offering a sense of self-possession that feels both timeless and distinctly modern. Red geometric stripes cut across her face in ceremonial fashion, referencing ancestral traditions while embracing a sleek, digital visual language. This striking blend of ritual and modernity anchors the work in themes of transformation, heritage, and redefinition.

The subject is wrapped in hypnotically patterned textiles rendered in blue and orange symmetry, reminiscent of African prints. These patterns function as both armor and adornment—an extension of identity that speaks to legacy, resistance, and beauty. The interplay between the rich textile detail and the smooth, hyperrealistic rendering of her skin creates a compelling contrast, emphasizing the dualities the piece embodies.

What makes Chlöe particularly resonant is the artist’s ability to convey strength without aggression, elegance without idealization. This portrait challenges the viewer not just to look, but to consider the deeper narrative of cultural memory, gender expression, and the evolving constructs of Black womanhood. Chlöe becomes a living archive—unbound, unafraid, and unapologetic.

Perfect for collectors of modern African diaspora art, feminist portraiture, and narrative contemporary paintings, Chlöe offers a visual and conceptual depth that continues to unfold over time. This piece is more than an image—it’s a declaration.