Acrylic Painting on Canvas 3ft x 2ft As a contemporary multidisciplinary visual artist from Edo State, Nigeria, I often think about the things we inherit from the generations before us and what happens to them as the world continues to change. Our culture carries stories, memories, and expressions of identity that existed long before us. I believe we have a responsibility not only to remember them, but also to find our own ways of keeping them alive. This painting is inspired by Igbabonelimhin, the acrobatic masquerade dance tradition of the Esan people. What fascinates me is the movement, the way the masquerade occupies space, the energy of the performance, and the striking colours and textures of its costume. There is a powerful presence in the figure, even without seeing a human face. For me, that presence speaks to something larger than an individual performer; a cultural identity carried through generations. I wanted to interpret this tradition through my own artistic language. The bold blue background, the yellow halo, and the vibrant colours of the costume allow me to approach the masquerade beyond documentation. I am interested in what it means, what it represents to me as an Esan person, and how I can bring it into a contemporary visual conversation. We live in a time when almost everything is changing. Young people are growing up with smartphones, social media, and influences from across the world. Our cities are changing, our ways of communicating are changing, and even the ways we encounter our traditions are changing. A masquerade performance can now be recorded and shared far beyond the community where it takes place. Yet, behind every image and every recording, there is a history that deserves to be understood. This is what makes the subject personal to me. I do not want to see my culture become something we remember only during celebrations or look back on with nostalgia. I want to engage with it in the present and contribute to how it is seen by the next generation and painting is one of the ways I can do that.