Inkumi Inywa Isigara /The Woman Who Smokes

2023 | Acrylic On Canvas, Unframed

This African contemporary painting portrays a woman alone yet whole—unaccompanied by children, partner, or family. In this quiet, intimate scene, she savors a small moment for herself, free from melancholy or longing. The work challenges traditional narratives around solitude, instead celebrating the quiet dignity and strength of a woman living fully on her own terms.

Continuing an exploration of beauty found in the mundane, this piece honors the self-contained life with a gentle yet powerful embrace of independence, resilience, and personal choice.

See more artwork by Myriam U. Birara