Featured Artist
AZA MANSONGI
www.themelrosegallery.co.za
A
za was born 13 June 1980 in Kinshasha (Democratic Republic of Congo). She currently lives and works in Doula/ Cameroon. She is a talented visual artist who works in different genre including painting, sculpture, installations and video. Aza identifies closely with the Congolese school of classical, figurative realism, although her canvases are characterised by colourful abstract backgrounds using flat expanses of colour. She is inspired by daily life and popular culture resulting in powerful, energetic paintings that have a unique African pop art style. Influenced from an early age by comics purchased by her parents, Aza’s works often include stylised figures with almost a mythical or super hero type feel. Whilst she is addressing important themes that are relevant to herself, her community and the continent of Africa, this is done with an almost palatable sense of humour. Her main subject matter is people, men and women, often in groups, armed with spectacles, hats, masks, and extravagant make-up and jewellery. And always lively, smiling, noisy, highly expressive, their gestures bordering on mime or clowning. African masks, domestic pets wearing head phones to drown out the noise, fashionistas and their high heels, music, the people of Cameroon, cars, cellular phones, camera’s and TV screens all dance on the canvas and present a window into the frenetic world in which she lives.
Aza Perfusion
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