Size:53 x 41 in.

Charmaine Chanakira’s original painting If the Shoe Fits (48" x 36") is a dynamic and multi-layered exploration of symbolism, abstraction, and contemporary expression. The composition bursts with colour, featuring a vibrant blend of earthy tones, electric blues, and deep reds, all interwoven with bold graphic elements and expressive linework. Scattered throughout the painting are hand-drawn figures, symbols, and phrases, including the thought-provoking text “What if the shoe fits?”—a phrase that invites interpretation, challenging perceptions of identity, belonging, and societal expectations.

In this work, Chanakira seamlessly merges graffiti-style elements with primitivist aesthetics, incorporating a mixture of acrylic, oil pastels, and pen to create a textured, tactile surface. Playful motifs, such as a stylised smiling figure and abstract eyes, contrast with more sombre and mysterious elements, including a melancholic female portrait in the lower right-hand corner. This interplay of light-heartedness and deeper reflection is characteristic of Chanakira’s approach, where humour, introspection, and social commentary coexist.

Inspired by her Zimbabwean heritage and her experiences in London, Chanakira’s work serves as a visual conversation about cultural duality, personal identity, and emotional complexity. With her distinctive artistic voice, she transforms introspection into bold, captivating visual statements that resonate universally.