Broda James, 2023

Mixed media on canvas
91 x 120 x 2 cm
35 13/16 x 47 1/4 x 13/16 inches
93.7 x 123.5 x 6.5 cm (incl frame)
36 7/8 x 48 5/8 x 2 9/16 inches (incl frame)
Hand-signed by artist - bottom right.
Broda James (Broda is a common term of respect for an elder) is the ubiquitous shopkeeper known to Africans all over the continent. Here, he is seated at the counter of his store, stocked with Heinz Baked Beans and a common pantry staple Dano Milk Powder, both expensive imports from Europe. Of importance in this image is the presence of an electronic pay point – a commentary on the chaotic state of the Nigerian economy, where the poor are driven into further poverty as the government makes inconsistent decisions around tender and cashless transactions without thinking about the consequences for its citizens. Unframed: 91 x 120 x 2 cm Framed: 93.7 x 123.5 x 6.5 cm Courtesy Christopher Moller Gallery.