Sonny Sundancer – Ishema

Description

Ishema — meaning “pride” in Kinyarwanda — is a powerful portrait that embodies strength, dignity, and ancestral presence. In this large-scale work, Sonny fuses the precision of charcoal realism with his signature graffiti-inspired aesthetic.

The gorilla’s penetrating gaze commands attention, while vibrant, expressive strokes of colour ripple across its shoulders, echoing the energy of street art. This visual tension between control and spontaneity mirrors the artist’s exploration of nature’s place within an increasingly urbanised world.

Rich in symbolism and emotion, Ishema challenges traditional wildlife portraiture by bridging cultural and visual languages. Through this fusion, Sonny not only honours the spirit of the gorilla but elevates it as a timeless symbol of resilience, identity, and the wild’s enduring voice—revealing a striking, detailed beauty within the composition.