AFRICA UNIVERSE 2: Januario Jano / Joël Andrianomearisoa / Amani Bodo / Abdoulaye Konaté / Troy Makaza / Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo / Ifeoma U. Anyaeji / Amina Zoubir

Press release
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Primo Marella Gallery is pleased to present the exhibition Africa Universe – Part II, the sequel of Africa Universe, a monumental show divided in three chapters, inaugurated in September 2019.

Entirely dedicated to Contemporary African Art, Africa Universe – Part II is an important project focused on some of the most interesting Contemporary African Artists. Among historical pieces, you will find brand new artworks created by the artists during this complicated period, which are translated in their personal, but at the same time universal experiences, with first-class artistic languages and ways of expression. Today, their art became transnational and has been finally institutionally recognized and placed in the broader context of contemporary art.

Due to the Italian COVID-19 restrictions, Primo Marella Gallery gladly presents Africa Universe - Part II in an online format, which allows us to reach out to all of you around the world, even if not phisically, at least virtually. The exhibition, already set up, will be physically open once the government allow us, just arrange an appointment by calling us. We truly hope to have you as real guests very very soon!
 
The exhibition will include the works of nine artists. Abdoulaye Konaté, who primarily creates large-scale textile based installations using woven and dyed clothes, materials native to his homeland Mali, explores both aesthetic language and diverse socio-political and environmental issues; Joël Andrianomearisoa, a malagasy artist working with diverse mediums such as installation, sculpture and textile. In every piece he aims to find various shades of colors as well as various attitudes of them; Januario Jano, a versatile Angolan artist, explores the opposing notions of modern pop culture and traditional practices in his Sculptures, Installations (video, photography, sound) and performances; Ghizlane Sahliinvestigates the power of materials - their textures and universality. Her chief shapes are the Alveoles (three-dimensional embroidery, made from the tops of used bottles, covered with silk thread), imagined as human cells that generates also feminine part; Troy Makaza’s surreal works, woven from painted silicone strings, inhabit the space on both side of painting and sculpture, creating a threadlike spider web. He creates powerful metaphors of social and intimate spaces; The energetic, colorful and narrative painting compositions of Amani Bodo reveal the artist’s perception of the social, cultural, political and economic reality of Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of Congo); Ifeoma U. Anyaeji, a Nigerian neo-traditional artist, has developed a style of ‘Plasto-Art’, which she defines as an eco-aesthetic process of remaking. In her works, Ifeoma transforms the primary medium - used non-biodegradable plastic bags and bottles - by applying her crafting skills in a receding traditional Nigerian hair plaiting technique called threading, combined with traditional basketry and fabric weaving techniques; Amina Zoubir’s installations, drawings, videos, sculptures, photographs, land art are textual and contextual interventions on materials: wax, wood, metals and wall, reveal and deconstruct a behavioral allusion of the unconscious and the imagination of individuals, evolving in a predetermined space according to the sociocultural, ethnopsychical and political contexts; Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo, presents collage on canvas and installations that question the deep meaning of contemporary society, with particular focus on the themes of globalization, intercultural dialogue and the power violently exercised by the strong on the weak ones.
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