BIOGRAPHY MUKUNYA ILUNGA
The painter DECHRIS MUKUNYA ILUNGA was born on 14/04/1990 in
Kinshasa.
After completing his art studies at the Institute of
Fine Arts in Kinshasa, he obtained his degree in painting from the Academy of
Fine Arts in Kinshasa in 2015.
He also participated in the exhibition "Dimension
Pluriel" and took part in mural painting workshops, including a mural
painting workshop organized by the U.S. Embassy with the artist Christine Kuhn.
Artistic approach
Dechris Mukunya is guided in his work by the concept
of energy in all its forms. The energy he refers to is partly related to the
scientific domain. One can often find representations of pylons, wires,
pyramids, and other elements related to electricity in his works. These
elements serve as a graphical support that adorn the characters that populate
his paintings.
Taking on human forms, these subjects are not isolated
or defenseless; they possess other highly symbolic elements, such as vital
energy represented by ancestral sculptures typical of the Baluba people.
Mukunya stages various types of sculptures, such as combs from this people. He
also includes white dolls, symbolizing the negative influences they have on
black children in terms of beauty standards. Negative energy is embodied by
flies, cockroaches, and lizards, which are almost always present on the
canvases, reflecting the artist's surroundings near a septic tank. However, the
artist emphasizes that these creatures, surrounding his daily life, come from a
place full of energy generated by fecal matter. Therefore, they also fall into
the realm of energy, which is dear to Mukunya. Their presence on his canvases
adds an enigmatic element when he piles them on parts of his characters'
bodies, in a state of decay, perhaps highlighting the forced cohabitation of
animals and humans.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Visual Artist Dechris MUKUNYA ILUNGA, born in
KINSHASA, on April 14, 1990 Address:
Commune.
Limete, Quartier/Salongo Avenue Mafema 19, Contact:
Tel:
+243 821566308
+243
840517972
E-mail:
dechrismuk@gmail.com
MEDIUM:
Acrylic on canvas
TECHNIQUE:
Acrylic on canvas
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
• Plural Dimension 2014
• Residency Workshop United States of America with
artist Christine-KHUN 2015-French Institute of BRAZAVILLE 2018
• SAHM workshops 2018
• 7th edition International Contemporary Art meeting
"RIAC™ 2018-Collective exhibition
"Panafrican and not just African"2018
• Complex exhibition at the French Institute of
Kinshasa 2019
• 3rd edition Ouagadougou International Painting Meeting
"RIPO" 2019
• Auction at Pefaco Hotel in Brazzaville 2019
• EXHIBITION: virtual at GALERIE KUB'ART 2021
• Bangladesh Biennale 19th edition 2022
• International Contemporary Art Meeting of GNANA MAYA
in Burkina-Faso 15th Edition 2023
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
• Gallery la Case Nomade - Porto Novo Benin 2023
• 26th Harmattan Workshop 11th,24 February,
2024/Nigeria Lagos
