This November, we’re spotlighting ActionSpace artist Ibrahim Okeyere Keelson, who presents an exhibition of recent paintings and pastel drawings.
Ibrahim moves between larger and smaller surfaces to create flowing, coloured patchwork grids. Each work begins with a careful build-up of colour blocks from the top left corner of the paper, moving steadily across and down. The colours unfold intuitively, while the blocks shift and stretch across the surface, evoking the feeling of a draped blanket or a flag in the wind.
In this new body of work, Ibrahim experiments with layering his patchworks and introducing new shapes and forms. Some compositions revisit earlier structures, while others develop further layers and departures from the grid. Working with pastels over paint, he deepens his exploration of colour and texture, introducing paint pens for areas of crisp precision that contrast with the softer, more tactile surfaces of his paintings and drawings.
Layered Shapes on Orange, 2025. Acrylic on board, 30 x 40 cm.
Layered Shapes on Green, 2025. Acrylic on board, 30 x 40 cm.
Layered Shapes on Blue, 2025. Acrylic on board, 30 x 40 cm.
About Artist Spotlight
Artist Spotlight is a programme that highlights the unique practices of ActionSpace artists from our three supported studios. It aims to profile emerging ActionSpace artists by providing insights into their influences and inspirations, as well as showcasing new artwork.
Patchwork with Circles 2, 2025. Acrylic and oil pastel on paper, approx 80 x 200 cm.
Patchwork with Triangles, 2025. Acrylic and oil pastel on paper, 42 x 60 cm.
Patchwork with Shapes, 2025. Acrylic and oil pastel on paper, 42 x 60 cm.
Help support an ActionSpace artist’s practice today
Each year ActionSpace supports hundreds of learning disabled artists to learn new creative skills and to realise their potential as artists. Our charity’s vital work is only made possible by the generosity of our individual and organisational supporters.
To join our community of supporters, and help transform the lives of those we work with, please make your donation today.
Donate today
Top gallery image:
- Patchwork with Circles, 2025. Acrylic, oil pastel & paint pen on paper, 115 x 150 cm. Image courtesy of the Artist and ActionSpace.
