The Niger Bend

30 1/4 x 12 3/4″ (77 x 32 cm) This is a sign painted for sale, not made for use or actually ever used. It was painted by an artist in Togo, who goes by the name of Lebene. He often signs his work with just the letters LBN. The signature of this one says L.B.N. “04”, thus dating it to 2004. One of his specialties is painting barbershop and beauty salon signs, featuring women’s and men’s heads with a wide variety of hairstyles. This sign is distinguished by three women’s heads, two facing each other, the other looking away, each with different hairstyles, all of which are very detailed, on a light blue background. The sign has a narrow dark blue border around the perimeter, framing the painting. The woman on the left is wearing a red top and a post earring. She is looking to the right in the painting, to her left. The woman in the center is wearing white and drop earrings. Her head is oriented toward the left of the painting, to her right, but her eyes are looking at the viewer, to her left. The woman on the right has leaf-shape earrings and has bare shoulders. Her head is oriented to the right of the painting, to her left, but her eyes are also looking toward the viewer, to her right.