The Easel

The Fearless Chris Ofili Enters His Own Personal Paradise Lost

Chris Ofili is an important painter. But his latest, widely reviewed, show seems plain difficult – four paintings in a gallery, displayed behind a floor-to-ceiling wire fence. Some explanations are lengthy and one critic admits “I don’t fully grasp this exhibition”. This writer thinks the show is “stunning”. Summoning up his explanatory powers he suggests the difficult-to-see works are about “venturing resolutely upon a new vision of reality”.