Photo by Ian Allen for TIME
Chris Ofili's extraordinary talent is to speak about contemporary issues through the romance of painting. He achieved early success in London–winning the Turner Prize and representing Britain at the Venice Biennale–almost as soon as he emerged. With works like "No Woman, No Cry," "The Holy Virgin Mary," both breathtaking and controversial in equal measure, he positioned himself as an artist who could redefine art practice by affirming the relevance of painting for the 21st century. Since moving to Trinidad, he has drawn inspiration from the island, its natural beauty and its distinct cultural tropes. Incredibly, he has re-emerged with an equally powerful relevance. In his work, he seeks to speak to political issues; his is a social imperative. He asks questions about our time through intoxicating visual compositions that examine peripheral modernities and enable us to make sense of our world.