October Gallery is thrilled to present Nature Morte, the latest solo exhibition by acclaimed Congolese artist Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga. Open to the public until 25th January 2025, this powerful exhibition explores the environmental and human toll of industrial mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through his large-scale, visually striking paintings, Kamuanga Ilunga invites viewers to reflect on the hidden costs of modern technology and globalisation.
The title Nature Morte—French for “dead nature” or still life—takes on a haunting significance in Kamuanga Ilunga’s work. The paintings juxtapose vibrant, domestic scenes with unsettling symbols of absence, including empty high chairs and discarded toys. The figures in these works, marked with intricate patterns of digital circuitry, represent the collision of traditional Congolese heritage with modern industrial exploitation. This series addresses the devastating consequences of industrial mining in the Congo, particularly the extraction of cobalt and coltan—minerals critical to the global tech and energy industries. Kamuanga Ilunga’s art powerfully critiques the environmental destruction and cultural erosion wrought by these practices while celebrating the resilience of the Congolese people.
Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1991, Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga is one of the most significant contemporary artists from Africa today. A former student of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Kinshasa, Kamuanga left the institution in 2011, seeking greater creative freedom. He co-founded M’Pongo, a collective studio that became a hub for contemporary art in Kinshasa. Kamuanga Ilunga’s signature style features large-scale figurative compositions, where his subjects are adorned with digital circuits. These motifs highlight the tension between traditional Congolese culture and modern globalisation, themes that have defined his career. His work has been exhibited globally and is held in prestigious collections, including the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Cape Town), the Hood Museum of Art (USA), and the Norval Foundation (South Africa).
The exhibition is being held at October Gallery, located at 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 3AL. It runs from 14 November 2024 to 25 January 2025 and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Admission is free. The venue is easily accessible, just a short walk from Holborn and Russell Square tube stations.
For more information or to plan your visit, contact October Gallery at +44 (0) 20 7242 7367 or email art@octobergallery.co.uk. You can also visit their website or join their mailing list for updates on exhibitions and events.
This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to engage with the work of Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, whose art combines breathtaking visual beauty with deeply resonant themes. Nature Morte is a compelling exploration of environmental justice, cultural identity, and the human cost of modern industry. Admission is free, making this an unmissable event for anyone interested in contemporary art and global issues.
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