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Hilary BALU Nzambe Ako Sala (God Will Provide), 2021
(series…
See original version (French)
50
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Hilary BALU Nzambe Ako Sala (God Will Provide), 2021
(series…
See original version (French)
Estimate €15,000 - €20,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Hilary BALU
Nzambe Ako Sala (God Will Provide), 2021
(series: In the floods of illusions)
Acrylic, oil and scratch on canvas
Signed, dated and titled on the back "Nzambe Ako Sala (Dieu Pourvoira) 2021 Hilary Balu Kuyangiko".
176 x 238 cm
Acrylic, oil, and scraping on canvas; signed, dated, and titled on the back "Nzambe Ako Sala (Dieu Pourvoira) 2021 Hilary Balu Kuyangiko".
69.29 x 93.70 in.
Provenance: Galerie Magnin-A, Paris
Acquired from the latter by the current owner
A certificate from the Galerie Magnin-A will be given to the buyer
FR
Hilary Balu, a Congolese artist, trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Kinshasa, where he received a highly academic education marked by Western codes. Regretting the lack of transmission of the references and techniques of Congolese art and, more broadly, African art, he places the black body at the centre of his work, using a unique technique of scratching on acrylic to represent the skin. His work focuses on the cultural, economic and spiritual transformations that the African continent is undergoing as a result of globalisation.
His work Nzambe Ako Sala ("God will provide" in Lingala), part of the Flood of Illusions series, deals with migration issues, using the sea as a central symbol. A border that is both a beacon of hope and a place of tragedy, it echoes the history of contemporary migration, as well as that of the conquistadors and the slave trade. Hilary Balu's composition incorporates symbolic objects that at first glance seem random: a sabre, a Suprême motorbike helmet, a wooden statuette. However, they are chosen with care, and prompt the viewer to question their correspondence and deeper meaning. Colonial violence and consumer society are juxtaposed in this depiction of young migrants who see hope only in foreign lands.
Brutal in its subject matter, the work is delicately painted, the waves of the sea precisely and poetically rendered, creating an anguished atmosphere, in the manner of William Turner, where sky and sea seem to merge. The motifs and drapery are precise and delicate. This interplay of textures and details draws the viewer into a more complex narrative, where each element questions the future issues of political and climatic migration, and brings us face to face with the forced travellers of our time.
EN
Hilary Balu, a Congolese artist, was trained at the Kinshasa School of Fine Arts, where he received a highly academic education influenced by Western codes. Reflecting on his education, he lamented the absence of transmission of Congolese and, more broadly, African artistic references and techniques. In his work, he centres the Black body and employs a unique technique of acrylic scraping to represent the texture of skin. His art explores the cultural, economic, and spiritual transformations that the African continent undergoes in connection with globalization.
His piece Nzambe Ako Sala ("God Will Provide" in Lingala), from the Flood of Illusions series, addresses migration issues using the sea as a central symbol. As a boundary that is both a bearer of hope and a site of tragedies, the sea resonates with the history of contemporary migrations as well as with that of conquistadors and the transatlantic slave trade. Hilary Balu incorporates symbolic objects into his composition that may initially appear random: a saber, a Supreme motorbike helmet, and a wooden statuette. However, each object is carefully selected, encouraging the viewer to reflect on their correspondence and deeper meanings. Colonial violence and consumer society intersect in this depiction of young migrants, who see hope only in foreign lands.
Brutal in its subject, the artwork is delicately painted, with the sea's waves rendered precisely and poetically, creating an atmosphere of unease reminiscent of William Turner, where sky and sea seem to merge. The intricate work on patterns and drapery is precise and refined. This interplay of textures and details draws the viewer into a more complex narrative, where each element questions the future challenges of political and climate migrations and confronts us directly with the forced travelers of our time.
Hilary BALU
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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