Group exhibition "Angola: Between dreams & reality
OpenArtExchange presents group exhibition, "Angola: Between dreams & reality". We warmly invite you to the opening on Saturday, April 5 at 3 PM at OpenArtExchange, Hoogstraat 85 Schiedam. The exhibition will be on view until May 3, 2025.
At the opening you can enjoy the enchanting sounds of African harp (kamale n'goni), guitar and African percussion performed by Michiel Moerkerk and Silke Blommaert, in a mix of tranquil, swinging, and energetic tunes.
Angola: Between dreams & reality
The OpenArtExchange 2024/2025 program highlights Africa's artistic diversity through locational exhibitions. Angola, the fourth stop, has a rich yet turbulent history of colonization, war, and resilience. Once a center of the transatlantic slave trade, Angola fought for independence and endured civil war, authoritarian rule, and corruption. Despite vast natural wealth, economic struggles persist due to oil dependency and debt. Though underfunded, the arts sector is gaining recognition. With limited formal education but strong private initiatives, Angolan artists foster an independent, experimental scene, redefining heritage and decolonizing cultural identity.
Within the Angolan contemporary art scene, surrealism is one of the dominant styles in which ancient ethnic symbolism goes hand in hand with modern city life observations and a free experimentation with a variety of other styles, techniques and materials. For the exhibition “Angola – between dreams and reality” we have selected three surrealist painters from different generations, drawing their inspiration from daily life and ethnic roots, each with their own unique style: Casca (1976), Sapate Doudou (1982) and Josélyna Pemba (1990).
Casca
Casca (1976) creates surrealist figurative-abstract masks and Angolan street-life role models in acrylic on canvas, drawing clear influence from Picasso. His work blends cubist elements with the symbolism and mythology of indigenous Angolan cultures, particularly the Chokwe people.
Sapate Doudou
Sapate Doudou (1982) creates surrealistic, dreamlike visions of modern society with figurative elements in acrylic on canvas. Influenced by Cristiano Mangovo, Picasso, and Francis Bacon, his fluid, abstract compositions reflect the chaos and injustice of daily life while searching for meaning and universal values.
Josélyna Pemba
Josélyna Pemba (1990) creates flamboyant, colorful surrealistic symbolism with a satirical edge in acrylic on canvas, blending collage with vibrant hues. Her work features fantastical, humorous characters and hybrid beings, such as skeletal figures and mythical avatars, drawing on themes of satire, mythology, and societal realities.