In Eyema, Young Paris reimagines the legendary Fang Byeri figure once owned by André Derain and later by the Rockefeller family. Inspired by seeing the original at the Met, Paris was captivated by its commanding presence and timeless power, compelling him to translate the figure into paint.

Set against a sumptuous gold damask leaf pattern, the figure is depicted in a semi side profile, emphasizing both its sculptural elegance and quiet authority. Byeri figures were central to Fang ancestral practices, serving as reliquaries that safeguarded bones and relics of the deceased while embodying the spiritual strength of the lineage. They acted as guardians, ensuring protection, guidance, and continuity between the living and the ancestral world.

In Paris’ interpretation, the figure’s muscularity, particularly the sculpted shoulders and torso - highlights the strength, resilience, and protective power historically attributed to women, who often played crucial roles in the social and spiritual life of Fang communities. The painting balances reverence for tradition with contemporary sensibility, allowing viewers to experience the intensity, grace, and enduring significance of the Byeri figure.