Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga

Eddy Kamuanga s large-scale figurative paintings display a wealth of historical understanding in a sophisticated interplay of strikingly coloured forms juxtaposed on grey negative space. Kamuanga s work taps into the rich, yet complex colonial history of the Democratic Republic of Congo, (DRC). His politically nuanced and culturally sensitive work explores the seismic shifts in economic, political and cultural identity in the DRC since colonization. Increasingly globalized in outlook, many in the DRC today are rejecting their ancestral heritage in favour of modernity, a conflict that fuels Kamuanga s work. The DRC is the world s largest exporter of coltan, a mineral critical to the production of computer chips and mobile phones. In all Kamuanga s works, the skin of each figure is embedded with integrated circuits, referring to the harsh conditions experienced by workers who mine coltan by hand. Eddy Kamuanga has been recognized internationally as one of the most interesting, young, contemporary African talents of today and his reputation is fast growing worldwide. His work has been shown across Africa, notably at Zeitz MOCAA, South Africa, and has been included in exhibitions in Europe and the United States, at institutions such as the Fowler Museum, UCLA, Los Angeles, (CA); the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, (NH); the Saatchi Gallery; and the Royal Academy of Arts, London. Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga is represented by October Gallery, London, UK.