Black History Month is a time to appreciate and celebrate black culture and the contributions that have made the world a better place. 

Fine Art Canvas will celebrate the art and artists that express the rich tapestry of African American civilization, including arts, philosophies, and more, all month long. 

Today's blog focuses on the vibrant stylings of Kenyan-American artist and designer Carol Muthiga, better known as the creative force behind Lolita Lorenzo.

The Creation of Lolita Lorenzo

Born in Nairobi, Carol moved to Canada as a teen before landing in New York City. There, she began to pursue a career in advertising and graphic design. After a few successful years with brands like Condé Nast and Lifetime TV, she made the daring decision to branch out into her own projects. 

Carol Muthiga says that after 9/11, she decided to pursue her design dreams, starting with jewelry and accessories. She created the brand Kipépéo, which translates to "Butterfly" in Kiswahili. With Kipépéo, she created unique and fashion-forward pieces that garnered international acclaim, catapulting her personal career.

By 2006, Muthiga had established her brand internationally, selling her works to high-end brands such as Henri Bendel, Harrods, and Intermix while opening her own boutique store in Manhattan. 

After a few years, she pivoted her pursuits and moved to Paris in 2009 to raise her family. From there, inspiration sparked her passion, and the brand Lolita Lorenzo Minaudière was born. Named after her daughters Chiara Lola and Siena Lorenza, the line is inspired by her diverse cultural influences and the beautiful city she calls home.

The Stylings of Lolita Lorenzo

Dripping in vibrant colors and intricate details, the art of Lolita Lorenzo takes inspiration from the diverse cultural experiences of Carol's life. This includes a multitude of traditional prints found in the textile markets of Africa and modern stylings of international fashion houses like Chanel and Vogue. The patterns she remixes in her pieces derive from ancient cultural practices of dyeing and weaving that have been preserved and curated by groups of strong women from tribes all around the great continent of Africa through many generations. Muthiga's bold color palettes have become a fundamental pillar of Lolita's work and help define each piece in this collection of canvas prints.

The subjects in Lolita Lonrezo's canvases include depictions of powerful women in rich hues of golds and blacks, highlighting details in a unique format. Intricate afros, long, jeweled lashes, and dark makeup; the masterful use of contrast leaves nothing diminished, and every face and feature is celebrated. Subjects include black cultural icons like the incomparable Nina Simone or Marpessa Dawn and homages to modern brands considered staples of the fashion world. Each is emblazed in traditional designs from various African cultures and the bold color palette Lolita Lorenzo is so beloved for.

Each portrait piece seeks to celebrate the tiniest of beautiful details in the most unapologetic ways, making each print a true statement piece. Each print grabs the attention with its unique designs and daring use of various disparate yet cohesive elements, flouting the academic art world with remarkable grace and beauty.

Where to Hang

As mentioned, canvas prints from Lolita Lorenzo are statement pieces and should be treated as such. 

Look for walls in any room that could be considered a "centerpiece" for that space. This should be a central area that easily captures the eyes of any person that enters your home.

If possible, add a portrait or two to your living room as conversation starters in a space where people will spend a good amount of time. 

Fashion pieces like this Tom Ford print are also perfect for the modern office space, adding flair and gorgeous color to inspire the most productive of workdays.

For more pieces from Lolita Lorenzo, be sure to check out the FAC collection today. 

Check out more pieces for celebrating Black History Month here, and tune in next week as we celebrate another creator.