COLLECTOR’S CHOICE: Letter Readers by Osinachi
Letter Readers (2024) by Osinachi is the artist's first-ever triptych, a choice that adds further significance to the piece, examining the transformation of communication and reading in the digital era.
The work reflects on both the advancements and the losses that have emerged from the shift from handwritten letters to instantaneous digital messaging. By selecting this format, Osinachi underscores the importance of the message and enhances its thematic weight, drawing on the triptych's historical and symbolic associations.
Historically, the triptych format was widely used in Christian art, particularly for altarpieces during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Triptychs often carry deep symbolic meaning, with the number three representing the Holy Trinity in Christian theology—symbolizing divine harmony and completeness. It is also seen as a representation of the passage of time—past, present, and future—or as a metaphor for the stages of existence: birth, life, and death. Through this format, Osinachi invites viewers to consider the enduring relevance of communication in all its forms.
Robert Campin, The Merode Altarpiece, c. 1427–32, Source: metmuseum.org
By reinterpreting the traditional three-paneled layout, Osinachi’s work reflects on the fading tradition of reading in the digital age. The triptych connects the past, when reading was a focused, tangible act, with our present and future, when these practices are slowly disappearing. Each panel shows an individual figure seated on a bench, absorbed in reading a long letter, evoking a quiet moment of attention that contrasts with today’s fast-paced, image-driven communication. Like many medieval triptychs, the work incorporates symbolism: the scroll-like letters, the repeated gestures, and the shared background all serve as visual metaphors.
Antonello da Messina, Saint Jerome in His Study, 1474–1474, Source: nationalgallery.org.uk
The long letters held by each figure resemble historical scrolls or parchment, suggesting a form of communication that requires focused attention. This stands in contrast to contemporary modes of information consumption, which prioritize speed and visual content over extended text. The format of the letter may also allude to the long threads we encounter while scrolling on social media. Despite the formal similarity, the experience is different: engaging with physical letters or books encourages sustained focus, while digital scrolling often results in fragmented attention.
Osinachi, Letter Readers 1, 2024
Although the figures are physically separated across the panels, the shared background and unified activity establish a visual and thematic connection. This shared focus highlights the complex relationship between connection and loneliness in modern life, where individuals are often alone yet continuously connected through the digital world. The natural surroundings, with its trimmed hedges and a clear blue sky, reflects how we are not only moving away from the tangible world, from analog communication and from reading but also from direct engagement with nature.
Osinachi, Letter Readers 2, 2024
Elements of Nigerian cultural heritage are also present in the work. While Osinachi’s figures represent contemporary individuals, dressed in hoodies, backpacks, sunglasses, and sneakers, the use of bold, patterned trousers draws on African textile traditions. This stylistic choice adds another layer to the narrative between past and present, connecting tradition with contemporary identity.
Osinachi, Letter Readers 3, 2024
The work makes use of the traditional triptych format in a contemporary context while also encouraging a slower, more intentional form of engagement. As the figures are shown absorbed in reading, the viewer is similarly invited to pause, take in the details, and reflect on the composition and its underlying themes.
Osinachi’s works can be found in the collections of museums such as Buffalo AKG Art Museum and Museum of Art + Light, as well as in private collections including Colborn Bell, SuperRareJohn, TokenAngels, and many others.
Osinachi, Letter Readers, 2024