Description

“Akiro with Machete” Acrylic painting on canvas

Acrylic portrait painting of black artist by local Wynwood artist Ivette Cabrera. The artwork is a depiction of a warrior prince with his machete ready for battle.  Subject Amir Shakir who is not only an artist and musician but also a strong leader among his community. The inspiration was taken from the French painter Jean-Léon Gérôme who painted a portrait titled Bashi-Bazouk  

The artist’s Turkish title for this picture—which translates as “headless”—evokes the unpaid irregular soldiers who fought ferociously for plunder under Ottoman leadership, although it is difficult to imagine this man charging into battle wearing such an exquisite silk tunic. Gérôme’s virtuosic treatment of textures provides a sumptuous counterpoint to the figure’s dignified bearing.

I thought I would go in a new direction to challenge myself and apply some of the new techniques I’ve learned while painting murals in Wynwood. This portrait is titled “Akiro Warrior with Machete” and its inspired by some of the Ottoman Empire paintings. It’s something completely different from my usual headdress artwork of various women but somehow the message still reveals itself underneath.  I would love to create more of these for different people and feel that I can really create some outstanding work with the right commissions. Right now I feel that with more delicate studies and time my work will develop into more into new realms never explored before.

His chest rises and falls like the ocean waves crashing past the shore.