My New Voice
by Gonçalo Mabunda

25 Jan - 16 Feb 2008

In this first solo show in Johannesburg, Mozambican artist Gonçalo Mabunda explores the cycles of destruction and regeneration in the process of creation and history, suggesting new symbols of universality and vitality. An internationally acclaimed artist, Mabunda deals with the fierce destruction of civil war in Mozambique by neutralizing its weapons and creating peaceful or cheerful sculptures.

In 1995, he worked with South African sculptor Andries Botha and had a strong artistic revelation. Through his cathartic practice, he became a combatant of life. Creation as a healing process ; this exhibition is also a celebration of invincible optimism and resilience. Mabunda invents a universal language from specific historical dramas. The fire that brings the sculptures to life as well as the materials and the tools are metaphoric codes in themselves and a means of construction, liberation and purgation. Beyond the apparent quite harmony of the works, one can always sense a subtle but solid force of permanent and endless transformation that speaks of the human experience.

Gonçalo Mabunda

Born in 1975. Lives and works in Maputo, Mozambique

Selected exhibitions

2007

Afronism, Afronova gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa Brothers in Arms, Núcleo de Arte, Maputo, Mozambique

Group show, Museum Het Domein Waardij Kunstinsllingen,Amsterdam, Holland

2007-2004

Africa Remix, traveling group exhibition, Museum Kunst Palast, Düsseldorf, Germany - Hayward gallery, London, UK - Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France - Army Museum ,Stockholm, Sweden - Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan- Johannesburg Art Gallery, South Africa

2006

Arms into Art, Centre Culturel de L’Espate, Le Mans, France

2005

Give Voice, solo exhibition, Galleria d’Arte La Nuvola, Rome, Italy

Arms into Art, collaboration with Eugenio Saranga, Gallery 23 / SBK Foundation, Amsterdam, Holland

Group show, Instituto Galileo galilei, Rome, Italy

2004

Festa D’africa festival, Musei Capitolini, Rome, Italy

Forum Barcelona, Barcelone, Spain

Arms into Art, Army Museum, Delft, Holland

Arms into Art, touring solo exhibition in Alliance Française in Tanzania, Mauricius, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Burundi, Namibia, Uganda

2003

Felix foundation, Amsterdam, Holland Maison des Cultures du Monde, Paris, France

2002

Playtime festival, Afronova, Johannesburg, South Africa

Arms into Art, Centro Dionysia, Roma, Italy

Arms into Art, Oxo Gallery, London, UK

2001

International Conference for destruction of Arms, New York, USA

Arms into Art, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Histori-city, World Wide Video Festival, Amsterdam, Holland

2000

An Artist, a gesture, solo exhibition, Nucleo de Arte, Maputo, Mozambique

Arms into Art, Toronto , Montreal, Canada

1997

Durban Art Gallery, Durban, South Africa

1995

Ujamaa IV Workshop with Andries Botha, Technikon Natal, Durban, South Africa