A BRUSH WITH JOY: THE POETIC REALISM OF IDARA

I find Idara Tom’s work simply magnificent. Each of her paintings feels like a doorway into a world she’s created—one where human stories, emotions, and the natural world blend into evocative, textured beauty. Every time I look at one of her pieces, my imagination is swept away, and I find myself immersed in her visual language.

When I first met Idara over a video call, I could hardly contain myself from expressing how moved I was by her work. She received the compliments with such humility and grace. Speaking with her was a true pleasure—her warmth radiated from the screen, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of positivity. Fittingly, her name, “Idara,” means “Joy” in the Efik language, spoken by her people in southern Nigeria. It suits her perfectly.

A graduate of the University of Uyo with a Bachelor of Arts in 2019, Idara was encouraged from a young age by her family and teachers to nurture her artistic talent. She notes with optimism that the perception of art in Nigerian society has evolved. Where past generations might have dismissed it as impractical, today there is growing recognition of art as a legitimate and vital vocation.

Currently based in Abuja, Idara balances her art with her role as a cultural officer—an intentional and strategic step to support herself as she gradually transitions toward a full-time artistic career. Her thoughtful approach allows her to pursue her passion on her own terms, without being overly dependent on the fluctuations of the art market.

In her recent work, Idara explores the relationship between humans and nature, drawing from Nigerian culture, personal experiences, and the music that accompanies her creative process—often melancholic tunes that seem at odds with her cheerful demeanor. But creativity, as we know, is not bound by expectations. Her vibrant colors and emotive textures bring a joyful energy to her paintings, even when born from sorrow.

Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, she favors earthy tones, greens, yellows, and greys—applied with a mix of palette knife and bold brushstrokes that give her work its signature texture and life. Her paintings do not aim for strict naturalism. Instead, they reveal a deeply expressive, intuitive style that feels both grounded and imaginative.

As she explains in her artist statement, her work is driven by a deep curiosity and emotional connection to the world around her. Each piece is a fusion of observation, memory, and improvisation—an extension of where she comes from, what she’s experienced, and where she’s headed. In Idara’s hands, painting becomes not just an art form but a conversation—one that invites us to reflect on our own stories, values, and the beauty of being human.

It’s a joy—yes, pun fully intended—to support Idara’s journey and to share her work with you. I truly believe she’s building something lasting, meaningful, and powerful.

You can discover and acquire her vivid, soul-stirring pieces here.

To know more about Idara, check out this comprehensive interview about her: https://systemagazine.wordpress.com/2024/02/10/in-conversation-with-joy-tom/

Location: Abuja (Nigeria)