L isa Brice’s After Embah (2018) is a striking reimagining of female agency in contemporary painting. Infused with bold pigments and Trinidadian influences, Brice’s luminous figures reject the male gaze, reclaiming their own narrative. Inspired by her conversations with artist Emheyo Bahabba (Embah), this cinematic composition transforms muses into self-possessed subjects, echoing art history while subverting it. Referencing everything from Manet’s Plum Brandy to Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda, After Embah is a powerful statement on autonomy, identity, and artistic legacy.
This statement piece is a highlight of the Modern & Contemporary Evening Auction taking place at Sotheby's London on 4 March.