There are many elements in this artwork that are unmistakably Ablade Glover—and yet, it stands apart from much of his other work.
The theme of market women is a prominent and recurring subject in Glover’s paintings. We also see women with babies strapped to their backs, a familiar motif across his body of work. But this piece is different. It is darker, more nuanced, calmer, more deliberate. The women carry baskets on their heads—a detail that might seem minor, but is, in fact, significant. It is something rarely seen in Glover’s broader oeuvre.
Part of the reason lies in his intention. At the time, many African artists depicted market women carrying baskets, emphasizing the struggle to earn a living—the hard labour, the suffering. Glover sought a different narrative. He portrayed them with elegance and dignity. In his vision, the head became a symbol of liberation.
Typically, in Glover’s work, whether young or old, the women are shown with their heads held high, radiating dignity and confidence. Glover grew up around market women; his mother, Omanye, was a trader, and his early recollections are of a community of women who were strong, dignified, lively, and supportive—women who bantered, quarrelled sometimes, but looked after one another and their families.
In this piece, though the women are depicted with headloads, they appear strong, resolute—unburdened. The concept of presenting them in this empowered light was already taking shape, though it had not yet fully evolved into the more vivid and rhythmic expressions that would characterize his later market scenes. This work represents a formative moment—an early iteration of that idea.
In this early exploration done in 1976, Glover opted for a restrained palette. As he continued to develop the theme, his palette would become more vibrant, infusing his works with rhythm, gaiety, confidence, and the camaraderie of the market women.
Here, one can already see the strength, dignity, and resolve that would become hallmarks of his later depictions. This piece stands as an early milestone on Glover’s journey toward the exuberant market scenes that would become central to his practice.
Dozie Igweze