oryimanagbaka.art

Portfolio About Contact

Three Wise Men

“The Three Wise Men” reimagines a familiar biblical motif through the lens of African identity and historical reclamation. In this ballpoint and pastel composition, I depict three Black Moors—dignified, regal, and contemplative—not merely as bearers of gifts, but as carriers of light, knowledge, and cultural sophistication. This work is a meditation on the often-erased influence of African civilizations on global history, particularly their intellectual and spiritual contributions to Europe during the Moorish presence in Iberia. The figures embody ancestral wisdom, echoing the real-life scholars, architects, astronomers, and philosophers whose legacy is hidden beneath colonial narratives. Through bold strokes and intricate texture, I aim to challenge conventional depictions of the Magi and invite viewers to reimagine Africa not as a place of deficit but as a wellspring of enlightenment. This painting is a call to remember—an artistic act of restoration that affirms our place in the

“The Three Wise Men” reimagines a familiar biblical motif through the lens of African identity and historical reclamation. In this ballpoint and pastel composition, I depict three Black Moors—dignified, regal, and contemplative—not merely as bearers of gifts, but as carriers of light, knowledge, and cultural sophistication.

This work is a meditation on the often-erased influence of African civilizations on global history, particularly their intellectual and spiritual contributions to Europe during the Moorish presence in Iberia. The figures embody ancestral wisdom, echoing the real-life scholars, architects, astronomers, and philosophers whose legacy is hidden beneath colonial narratives.

Through bold strokes and intricate texture, I aim to challenge conventional depictions of the Magi and invite viewers to reimagine Africa not as a place of deficit but as a wellspring of enlightenment.

This painting is a call to remember—an artistic act of restoration that affirms our place in the