Amani Bodo takes his cue from the popular life of his native land. The artist deviates from the representation in comics style in favour of metaphorical and allegorical painting, rich in symbolism. The artistic language of Amani Bodo is decidedly more innovative and evolved than that of his masters, being characterized by a deeper psycho-intellectual analysis and by a peculiar technique, even more complex and detailed, called in lingala "Mwangisa", a sort of "dripping" on the canvas.
This artistic movement, initially practiced on sacks attached onto the canvas and dis- played on the streets, was born in the seventies of the 20th century in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The movement was described by the founding artists as something that comes from the people and is for the people, thus expressing their interest in the imaginaryderiving from daily life and popular culture.
The nature of Popular Painting, mainly figurative and descriptive, is visceral and complex as it criticizes, often with a vein of cynicism and irony, the social and political life of the African community. Amani Bodo takes his cue from the popular life of his native land. However, unlike Cheri Cherin, Amani Bodo deviates from the representation in comics style in favour of metaphorical and allegorical painting, rich in symbolism.
The artistic language of Amani Bodo is decidedly more innovative and evolved than that of his masters, being characterized by a deeper psycho-intellectual analysis and by a peculiar technique, even more complex and detailed, called in lingala "Mwangisa", a sort of "dripping" on the canvas. Working on a scheme with predetermined measures, his approach to painting is almost scientific because, Amani Bodo does not use words to explain history, as in a comic. On the contrary, the artist creates enigmatic images, often surrealistic, which must be read and resolved directly by the observer.
Echoes of the masters
Amani Bodo’s visions through the ages14 Nov 2024 - 31 Jan 2025ECHOES OF THE MASTERS Amani Bodo’s visions through the ages Primo Marella Gallery Lugano Primo Marella Gallery Lugano is pleased to present Amani Bodo 's solo exhibition, 'ECHOES OF THE...Read moreAmani Bodo - Unveiling the enigma and the surreal
Amani Bodo16 Dec 2022 - 28 Jan 2023Read moreAMANI BODO - Viaggio all’interno del neo surrealismo africano
Amani Bodo23 Sep - 27 Oct 2021Read moreAFRICA UNIVERSE 2
Januario Jano / Joël Andrianomearisoa / Amani Bodo / Abdoulaye Konaté / Troy Makaza / Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo / Ifeoma U. Anyaeji / Amina Zoubir28 Feb - 20 Mar 2021Read moreThe art of storytellers. The continuation of the tradition: from Chéri Cherin to Amani Bodo
Ifeoma U. Anyaeji / Amani Bodo, Cheri Cherin, Tréson Cherin, Ifeoma U. Anyaeji, Sam Ilus, Januario Jano, Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien, Luc Mukolo, Gedeon Ndonda, Amina Zoubir16 Jan - 11 Feb 2020Read moreAFRICA UNIVERSE | CHAPTER 1
26 Sep - 13 Nov 2019Read more
- Africa la mère du monde, 2024
- La connexion au dieu de nos ancêtres, 2024
- No art no culture, 2024
- Le grands jeux, 2024Sold
- Le choix, 2024
- Le chevaliers au paradis, 2024
- Afrique, statut de la liberté, 2023
- LA MEDUSE, 2023
- Le Berceaux de l'humanité, 2023
- Sous les empreintes du grand maître, 2022
- Le temps nous est compté 2021, 2021
- Pphotographe en action ou (Zoom) , 2021
- Le monde des observateurs, 2020
Amani Bodo CV
EXHIBITIONS (Selection)
2024
Echoes of the masters: Amani Bodo’s visions through the ages, Primo Marella Gallery, Lugano, Switzerland
2023
Amani Bodo. Solo Show, Primo Marella Gallery, Lugano, Switzerland
Congo Avenir, Galerie Angalia, Paris, France
Portraits Ya Kongo, Galerie Angalia, Paris, France
Reversed Safari. Contemporary African Art, Manege Central Exhibition Hall, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Reversed Safari,Triumph Gallery, Moscow, Russia
2022
Amani Bodo. Unveiling the enigma and the surreal, Primo Marella Gallery, Lugano, CH Coucher De Soleil, Primae Noctis Art Gallery, Lugano, CH
2021
Welcome Home Vol. II, MACAAL, Marrakech, Morocco
Amani Bodo. Journey into the African neo-surrealism, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, IT Africa Universe, Part II, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, Italy
2020
Africa Universe, Part I, Chapter 3, The art of storytellers. The continuation of the tradition: from Chéri Cherin to Amani Bodo, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, IT Africa Universe, Part I, Chapter 1, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, Italy
Kinshasa Chroniques, Musée des arts modestes, Sète, France
Congo paintings, Musée africain de Namur, Namur, BE
2016
Amani Bodo, Tambola malembe, Espace Texaf-Bilembo, Kinshasa, DRC
2014
Kin-Babi, Cécile Fakhoury Gallery, Abidjan, CI
2011
JapanCongo, Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Moscow, RU JapanCongo, Magasin Grenoble, France
2010
Africa? Una nuova storia, Complesso del Vittoriano, Roma, Italy
ECHOES OF AFRICA
Fondazione Golinelli February 10, 2025Primo Marella Gallery is pleased to present “Echoes of Africa ,” an exhibition entirely dedicated to contemporary African art, curated by Fondazione Golinelli and held...Read moreAmani Bodo exhibition attendance
the artist will attend the exhibition opening November 11, 2024Primo Marella Gallery Lugano is pleased to announce Amani Bodo’s solo show: ECHOES OF THE MASTERS Amani Bodo’s visions through the ages . Opening Thursday,...Read morePMG ArtGeneve booth featured in Le Quotidien de L'art
primo marella gallery booth featured as the cover of the journal February 1, 2023The article states: Contemporary African art was on show at a number of stands, including that of Milanese gallery Primo Marella, which presented five artists...Read more
Artefiera Bologna 2025
6 - 9 Feb 2025PRIMO MARELLA GALLERY BOOTH - B24, HALL 25 6 - 9 FEBRUARY 2025 Primo Marella Gallery is delighted to announce its participation in the 2025...Read moreArtissima 2024
art fair 20241 - 3 Nov 2024PRIMO MARELLA GALLERY BOOTH - Light Blue 1 /Gray 2 1 - 3 November 2024 Primo Marella Gallery is pleased to participate in Artissima Torino...Read moreARTGENÈVE, 2024
25 - 28 Jan 2024It is with great excitement that we announce our participation in the prestigious contemporary art fair, ARTGENÈVE, scheduled to take place from January 25 to...Read more1-54 Contemporary african art fair London
12 - 15 Oct 20231-54 Contemporary African art fair London Primo Marella Gallery is thrilled to be participating in the 11th edition of 1-54 London, which will take place...Read moreArtefiera 2023
3 - 5 Feb 2023Artefiera 2023 PAD 25 BOOTH B12 Preview | 2 February Bologna Fair District, Halls 25 and 26 Costituzione entrance Arte Fiera BolognaFiere, Piazza Costituzione, 6...Read moreArt Genève 2023
26 - 29 Jan 2023ArtGenève 2023 BOOTH B40 Preview | 25 January Palexpo SA, Route françois-peyrot 30 1218 le grand-saconnex, Switzerland Opening times: 12 pm - 7 pm Thursday...Read more1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair - London 2022
13 - 16 Oct 20221:54 Contemporary African Art Fair - London Booth W13 Preview | 13 October Somerset House, South Wing Strand London, UK Opening times: 10:00 – 19:00...Read moreARTEFIERA BOLOGNA 2022
13 - 15 May 2022Opening times: 13th May 11-12 pm (vip only) / 12.00-8 pm; 14th - 15th May 11-8 _______ Quartiere Fieristico di Bologna, pavillions 15 and 18...Read more1:54 Paris 2022
7 - 10 Apr 2022Primo Marella Gallery - Booth 1 ARTISTS Abdoulaye Konaté Joël Andrianomearisoa Amani Bodo Januario Jano Troy Makaza more infoRead moreMIART, Milan 2021
16 - 19 Sep 2021Pad. 4 Stand C27 - D28 Featured artists: Joël Andrianomearisoa Amani Bodo Abdoulaye Konaté Bestrizal Besta Vithois Mwilambwe Bondo Elio Marchegiani Ruben Pang He Wei...Read moreArt Fair Philippines 2021
6 - 15 May 2021ARTWORKS PREVIEW Primo Marella Gallery is pleased to participate in Art Fair Philippines! 6-15 MAY 2021 Vip Preview: 5 MAY www.artfairphilippines.com Presented Artists: FROM ASIA...Read more
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