Born in Nigeria and raised in the United States, Odili Donald Odita is influenced by the visual and political landscapes of both countries. His abstract paintings consist of vivid, overlapping yet flat, geometric ribbons of color that reflect palettes found in fashion magazines and West African textiles. Odita insists on the cultural significance of particular colors and shapes, rejecting any notion that abstract paintings can be beautiful without also conveying social and political messages. The cool colors of the upper half of Third Text complement, but are separate from, the warm hues of the lower half, compelling viewers to consider boundaries of society that have the potential to both unite and divide.