Exhibition "Mwana Congo"

Congo-Kinshasa, or Belgian Congo, is a large country in Central Africa known for its rich cultural and artistic traditions, vibrant music, and colorful contemporary art, fashion, and design. Home to one of Africa’s top fine arts academies in Kinshasa, it has educated many renowned artists. The country is also rich in natural resources like minerals, precious stones, and oil, but this wealth has led to ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises, particularly in the eastern provinces of North- and South Kivu and Ituri, where over 120 armed militias operate with little control from the national government. This situation has caused violence, displacement, and human rights abuses, with civilians often suffering the most.

“Mwana Congo” (Son(s) of Congo) takes its title from a song by Mohombi, a well-known Congolese singer who fled Congo with his family as a child and recently returned to Kinshasa. The song, written 10 years ago, expresses love and longing for Congo in its abused beauty. The three artists in this exhibition are internationally recognized and could have left Congo, but they remain rooted in the country, contributing in their own unique ways. Despite their differing expressions, they all reflect on the sometimes harsh realities of Congolese society while celebrating its beauty and creative vibrancy.