Portfolio Review: Olivia Odiwe Shares Her Colorful Portraits of Jay Z, Kanye West, Pharrell, and Others

Painter Olivia Odiwe depicts rap's finest in brilliant colors.

April 16, 2014

Image via Complex Original

London-based artist Olivia Odiwe's colorful portraits capture famous faces in a whole new way. Her explosive graphics are bursting with energy, which means they stand up to the huge personalities Odiwe puts on paper. The artist's portfolio includes depictions of Kanye West, Jay Z, Pharrell, and other rappers, as well as historic figures and athletes.

The Indiana Pacers' C.J. Watson has said of Odiwe's work, "I loved the piece Olivia Odiwe did for me. It was perfect. The colors she used and her approach to portraiture really brought the painting to life. It's as if you're watching the actual basketball game." It's that dynamic aesthetic that draws viewers to Odiwe's portraits and makes them attractive to celebrities across the board. Take a look at her work with our Portfolio Review: Olivia Odiwe Shares Her Colorful Portraits of Jay Z, Kanye West, Pharrell, and Others.

Big T

"These are two iconic hip-hop legends that were instrumental in laying the foundations for many of the artists that I love to listen to today. Their legacies were punctuated with rivalry and arguments over who was the greatest MC. This piece pays homage and respect to their huge contribution to music by portraying them as equals of the same mind and body."

Mandela

"I painted this the day Nelson Mandela passed away, I wanted to capture his spirit and love of life through my color palette."

Happy

"Pharrell and Nigo are a formidable dynamic duo. Even though the piece is made up of happy, bright colors, they still hold a strong presence, much like their partnership."

Frank

"While listening to 'Thinking About You,' the colors purple, orange and yellow were prominent in my mind. I knew I had to use these colors to portray Frank Ocean's calm and enchanting demeanor."

The Crown

"This picture of Biggie has always been one of the iconic hip-hop images. I tried to apply my own style to it by using colors and brush strokes to give it a sense of movement."

Jay Z

"I feel that Jay Z is always developing and changing as an artist. I kept the piece unfinished to reflect this, as though the unfinished elements of the picture could change into a different form."

King Kendrick

"'I'm Makaveli's offspring, I'm the King of New York / King of the Coast.'"

23's

"I feel that basketball and hip-hop music are indelibly linked and rooted in similar culture. As a fan, I wanted to pay homage to the sport by portraying the master and the apprentice. Both were prodigies of their age within the sport and both have played under the iconic number 23."

Angels xx Demons

"I was inspired by the visuals and stage outfits of the Yeezus tour. I wanted to blur the lines between reality and theatrics as I think Kanye does regularly."

Girl

"This is concept art for Pharrell's track 'Marilyn Monroe.'"

Levels

"Kanye West is forever evolving. His artistry branches out into more than just music. His videos, his tours, and his fashion are all different levels of his creativity."

Q

"This is a reinvention of the album cover featuring Schoolboy Q and his daughter. In a mirror image to the piece, my dad and I collaborated. He letterpressed the Q's on the artwork. Letterpress is a style I'm beginning to explore and a direction I might start to move into."

Bronsalino

"Action Bronson is one of my favorite muses. His personality pours out of his lyrics, which makes him so intriguing to paint. I wanted my piece to portray his bold and unapologetic character."

Jay Kay

"This particular piece is very important to me because it is the first 'fusion' concept I created. I feel it was a creative milestone in the molding of my style. The positive reaction I received led to an ongoing development of this concept, which has become an integral part of my work."