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An insect that can  mould soil neatly into a rock by its sheer strength. (Ovu onu ugbarasun) – Jungel Queen

An insect that can mould soil neatly into a rock by its sheer strength. (Ovu onu ugbarasun)

by Jungel Queen

👁️ 132 views

📦 1 in stock

Size: 80 cm x 60 cm

$1,350
This painting is inspired by an Oron proverb that speaks of the hidden strength of even the smallest creatures. It tells of an insect capable of moulding a rock with precision — a wisdom usually passed down through oral tradition. The proverb reminds us that true strength is not always loud or visible, but found in persistence, skill, and quiet resilience.
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About the Artist

Esther Ketti Queen Phillips, known artistically as Jungel Queen, is a London-based Afro-Surrealist artist whose practice reclaims African heritage through painting, textiles, soundscapes, and immersive environments. Rooted in her Oron lineage and shaped by her experiences as a migrant, mother, and storyteller, her work weaves ancestral memory with contemporary narratives of identity, belonging, and survival.

Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, Phillips creates layered visual worlds where surreal forms, symbolic motifs, and dreamlike figures reveal both personal and collective histories. Her recurring imagery—elongated eyelashes, halos, ancestral engravings, and village structures—draws from African traditions while reimagining them through a modern, surrealist lens.

Her flagship project, “Reclamation: From Mother to Mother” (2025), brings together fine art, textiles, sound, and community workshops to explore generational healing, language loss, and the meaning of “home.” Through both physical exhibitions and virtual 3D galleries, Phillips invites audiences to step into intimate yet universal stories of migration, motherhood, and resilience.

Beyond the canvas, Jungel Queen extends her practice into fashion, design, and digital spaces, reflecting her belief that art should live across mediums and reach diverse audiences. Her vision is not only to create collectible artworks, but also to serve as a spokesperson for underrepresented African voices and migrant communities, using art as a vessel for remembrance, resistance, and renewal.

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