Artist Eddy Kamuanga third solo exhibition runs simultaneously with 1-54 London 2021. In this new installment of works, the artist furthers his exploration of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s history by examining the effect of Catholic missions in the country since the 19th century. His large-scale figurative compositions offer insight into the colonial influence of such enterprise, and into the acts of resistance that it triggered.
In 1893, the religious order of the Jesuits established the governing system of chapel farms in the former colony, which were intended to offer shelter to Congolese children or orphans, but in fact, trained them in military discipline as well in handicrafts and agriculture. In Kamuanga’s new paintings, his figures are flanked by these red brick ‘sanctuaries’ and shadowed by religious objects. These children served as free labor, fuelling the colonial mission for decades, resulting in a generation of Congolese people cut off from their families and communities. Through these works, Kamuanga reminds us that the Catholic Mission was instrumental in fostering the exploitation of people and lands. Distinctive vivid colors and careful textures, remnants of that exploiting system, run as a thread through this new body of work.
The chapel farms represented in this new series have been the theatre of resistance actions as early as the late 19th century. In these paintings, Kamuanga has integrated visual elements symbolizing the persistence of traditions despite the violence that colonization brought about, and which the neoliberal project continues to generate in the country. The skin of figures is replaced by intricate electronic circuitry as a reference to components of our everyday modern devices. Such technology could not exist without coltan, the material mined at length in the country, with great human and environmental cost.
Eddy Kamuanga’s work and practice have been featured on several occasions in the Financial Times. In 2020 he was named as one of Apollo Magazine’s ‘40 Under 40 Africa’. Work by the artist is currently part of The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2021: Reclaiming Magic. A Gallery Talk will be held at October Gallery on 16th October 2021. Eddy Kamuanga will be in conversation with Sorana Munsya and Jean-Sylvain Tshilumba Mukendi. More information here. The exhibition private viewing is tomorrow and the show runs until the 27th of November 2021.
Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga: Ghost of the Present will be accompanied by an exhibition catalog.
For any inquiries regarding your booking, contact events@octobergallery.co.uk.
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