I Am Here

Artist: Kemba Najuma Opio
Dimensions: 24 x 24 in
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
 
As the central imagery, the bird in this painting reflects a sense of being grounded amid uncertainty. Birds as inhabitants of the sky can symbolize liberation from earthly constraints and a "lightness of being." In our often hectic modern daily lives, I kept returning to this particular bird due to its stunning colors, but also, this bird, called an African bee-eater (family Meropidae), is a slender, vibrant bird known for catching insects—especially bees, wasps, and hornets—in mid-air. There was something magical about this bird's nature that felt relevant and aspirational, to show up with the strength needed to thrive in any environment.