Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga: Ghost of the Present

This Autumn term and over Black History Month in October the October Gallery presents a new solo show exhibition by Congolese artist Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga 'Ghost of the Present'.

In this new series, Eddy Kamuanga furthers his investigations of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s history by examining the effect of Catholic missions in the country from the end of the 19th century onwards. His large-scale figurative compositions offer insight into the colonial influence of such enterprise, and into the acts of resistance that it triggered. Kamuanga continues to portray his subjects with bare skin replaced by intricate electronic circuitry. This references the components of our everyday modern devices, technology that could not exist without coltan, a substance mined at volume in the DRC, with great human and environmental cost.

We will work with students of ALL AGES to explore various themes of identity, geography, and history of colonialism with artist Esther Adesigbin and make art based on portraiture found in the exhibition, using many different materials and techniques.