We received the sad, sad news, that one of our Congolese artists, Eddy Masumbuku, has passed away. I still cannot believe this happened. Just a few months ago, we were in your studio in Kinshasa, watching how you used the sun to slowly create your works over time, talking about new works you were going to make. We were at your house, happily re-united with your works, having fun trying out your bamboo costumes. You were not only a great authentic artist, one of the true mastodonts of the artistic scene in Kinshasa, who influenced so many artists. There are many who could elaborate on that more eloquently than me. To me you were also a grand, autonomous, daring, free spirit, not touched by fame, locked by success or hindered by ego. You were the most humble, sincerely kind and generous soul, who had this ability to still connect to that inner child, to question the world around you, to observe the interior, to reflect, to see things outside the box. When we approached you back in 2020 in the middle of Corona time, scheduling to re-open after 5 months mandatory closure with that first group exhibition hampered by limitations, you trusted your works to us without hesitation, to create new hope in difficult times. There will be no more new works, my friend, no new concepts, no funny encouraging stickers anymore. Thank you so much for everything. We will cherish those shared memories and the work you left behind. A big, big bow from all of us at OpenArtExchange in bidding you a heartfelt farewell. Be blessed wherever you are now. Our sincere condoleances go to those who are left behind. 

By Joke Bakker-Jansen