Daniel Onguene’s bold, harsh portraits are an unapologetic depiction and reference to what the artist’s views as the dire plight of the socio economic conditions of his native Cameroon. Chaotic at best, and apocalyptic at its worse, the dreary greys and the moody and muted palette of his pieces’ backgrounds speaks directly to a bleak situation of urban decay and languish, which has been brought about by economic mismanagement, corruption, and lack of empathy for the working people, resulting in the informal sector or black economy becoming the main epicentre of commerce and trade.

And yet, in spite of this, the most obvious point in Onguene’s work is that his subjects are still managing, and in some cases possibly even thriving, in these circumstances. The welcome pop of warm, vibrants colours, and in some portraits, the smiles of his subjects, is indicative of an optimism, courage and hope that offers a promising counter narrative to the current state of turmoil and decline.