In Feeling Purple, Kwesi Botchway introduces us to a poised young woman enveloped in shades of purple, seen in her dress, her nails, and the atmosphere she carries. The title suggests this is not merely a portrait, but an expression of emotion, a state of being conveyed through color. Purple here becomes both a mood and a message.

Inspired by the image of a woman standing quietly beside a window, Botchway captures a moment of introspection, strength, and grace. Traditionally associated with royalty, spirituality, and dignity, the color purple takes on a deeper meaning in this context: it elevates Black identity, infusing it with pride and a sense of transcendence. The woman’s embrace of the color becomes a form of self-expression, a statement rooted in feeling rather than words.

As in much of his work, Botchway draws from classical European portraiture while infusing it with a contemporary African perspective. His practice is devoted to celebrating Blackness in all its beauty, complexity, and resilience. Feeling Purple is both a love letter to color and a tribute to Black femininity, confident, reflective, and unapologetically radiant.