Bokasi bwa nzoko mokili elingi
[The power of an elephant is what the world wants]
2023
1,60 × 2,30 m
Acrylic on canvas
Mbongo ya moyeke
[Money fetish]
2019
1,60 × 2,30 m
Acrylic on canvas
Tunyunguluke tupetangane bukula
[We turn to cross paths, that’s the power]
2019
1,60 × 2,30 m
Acrylic on canvas
[The power of an elephant is what the world wants]
2023
1,60 × 2,30 m
Acrylic on canvas
Mbongo ya moyeke
[Money fetish]
2019
1,60 × 2,30 m
Acrylic on canvas
Tunyunguluke tupetangane bukula
[We turn to cross paths, that’s the power]
2019
1,60 × 2,30 m
Acrylic on canvas
These three paintings are a large format series. Their themes communicate with each other.
1 — An elephant-like figure is being accompanied by fear inducing spirits, making it impossible for humans to reach the creature, despite many envying the elephant for his powers, symbolized by the multiplication of his eyes, his tusks, legs and trunks. The elephant embodies transformation, abundant life, resistance and endurance, and illustrates the equilibrium between creatures and nature. Despite his physical prowess, spirits have to guard him from bad intentions in his environment. A large bird indicates the elphant’s forehead, which shows a landscape on which a flower blooms. This flower represents love in the broadest sense; spiritual benevolence for creation and between creatures. The birds in the background are far less benevolent, symbolizing the avid pursuit of fresh or weak corpses, which they seek out before anyone else, as they fly over the landscape.
2 — This painting bears interrogrations on violence, supra-natural powers, energetic forcefields, power abuse and human blood as fuel for the wealth machines of the few.
3 — A belt, often symbolizing beatings and its overtones of colonial and neocolonial violence, gathers and distinguishes the centre of the painting. Looking closer, it may as well be said to be a snake with a benevolent face, symbolizing renewal and transformation. It is not closed but turned outwards-inwards, relinking the spirits and the spiritual world with the people, deformed from suffering and society’s bad intentions.
1 — An elephant-like figure is being accompanied by fear inducing spirits, making it impossible for humans to reach the creature, despite many envying the elephant for his powers, symbolized by the multiplication of his eyes, his tusks, legs and trunks. The elephant embodies transformation, abundant life, resistance and endurance, and illustrates the equilibrium between creatures and nature. Despite his physical prowess, spirits have to guard him from bad intentions in his environment. A large bird indicates the elphant’s forehead, which shows a landscape on which a flower blooms. This flower represents love in the broadest sense; spiritual benevolence for creation and between creatures. The birds in the background are far less benevolent, symbolizing the avid pursuit of fresh or weak corpses, which they seek out before anyone else, as they fly over the landscape.
2 — This painting bears interrogrations on violence, supra-natural powers, energetic forcefields, power abuse and human blood as fuel for the wealth machines of the few.
3 — A belt, often symbolizing beatings and its overtones of colonial and neocolonial violence, gathers and distinguishes the centre of the painting. Looking closer, it may as well be said to be a snake with a benevolent face, symbolizing renewal and transformation. It is not closed but turned outwards-inwards, relinking the spirits and the spiritual world with the people, deformed from suffering and society’s bad intentions.