BEECHER’S Gallery in Ross-on-Wye is hosting an exhibition by acclaimed British hyperrealist artist Kelvin Okafor entitled Drawing Awareness.

Following its launch in London in June 2025, the exhibition has travelled to Paris and the Netherlands, and will now be presented in Ross on April 29, running through to May 25.

This extraordinary body of work explores themes of acceptance, inclusion, and the lived experiences of individuals with visible skin differences.

In addition to the original ‘Drawing Awareness’ drawings, Okafor will be unveiling a deeply personal portrait of Prince never before exhibited.

He writes, “In his song, ‘I Would Die For You’, Prince speaks of being neither woman nor man, but something beyond human understanding.

“These words struck me profoundly,” said Kelvin during a time when he had begun to walk a more spiritual path.

He added: “I came to interpret this as a reflection of the inner essence we all possess, something intangible, without gender or physical form, yet deeply present within us.”

At the heart of the exhibition lies a clear mission: to foster empathy, educate audiences, and inspire greater unity.

Okafor’s portraits reject filtered ideals and glossy perfection, instead presenting the human face in its most honest and authentic form—marked by lived experience and enriched by individuality.

His early works include portraits of Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Nelson Mandela, Corinne Bailey Rae, Rihanna, and Bob Dylan.

Working exclusively in graphite and charcoal, Kelvin is renowned for his extraordinary precision and photo-realistic style—his works often mistaken for photographs. Each portrait, some taking up to 500 hours to complete.

To join the Beecher’s Galley in Broad Street for the artist talks and demonstrations on Friday and Saturday May 1 and 2, contact the gallery on 01989 610142 or via email at [email protected].