COLLECTION
Gaël MASKI
Born in 1990 in Kalemie (RDC).
First acquisition by Ébalé: 2019
Gaël Maski’s photo collages harness the magic of the imagination to transcend Kinshasa’s social reality. An admirer of the strength of the most destitute people, he depicts them in their environment, which he enhances with allegories and symbols. Ébalé has acquired one of his rare works on wood, as well as a series of portraits of a family of stone breakers. Le baptême marks the start of his use of symbols, which have been recurrent in his works since then. Showcased by Angalia at AKAA in Paris since 2019, Gaël Maski made an impression at the Self-addressed exhibition held in late 2021 at the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in Los Angeles, curated by Kehinde Wiley, the renowned American painter.
Gosette LUBONDO
Born in 1993 in Kinshasa (RDC).
First acquisition by Ébalé: 2020
A rising star of African photography, Gosette is above all known for her Imaginary Trip series, shot in formerly emblematic and now disused buildings. Her work is a reflection on memory, heritage and time. In 2020, she created a buzz in the group exhibition À toi appartient le regard at the musée du quai Branly. She was awarded the Cap Prize in the same year for her Tala Ngai series depicting contemporary Kinshasa. In 2021, she was awarded the Maison Ruinart photography prize, which is given every year to an emerging photographer whose works are shown at Paris Photo. In addition to Gosette’s works proving a success with collectors, she also enjoys impressive media coverage.
Théo MWAMBA
Born in 1997 in Mwene Ditu (RDC).
First acquisition by Ébalé: 2021
Théo is still studying at ABA (school of fine arts) in Kinshasa, but is also creating series of works. The Ébalé collection includes works from two of his series. The first has rubber as its central theme, which symbolises the darkest hours of the Belgian Congo’s history. The treatment meted out to rubber collectors was captured in horrifying photographs, which have survived to the present day, and Théo utilises them to bear witness to their ordeal. He also draws a parallel with modern times in order to evoke the situation of migrant workers in Europe. The second series focuses on child labour, depicting children forced by their family’s poverty to take on casual work. Angalia has been supporting Théo since 2020. He will be formally presented as one of the gallery’s artists in 2022.
Catheris MONDOMBO
Né en 1992 à Kinshasa (RDC).
Première acquisition par Ébalé : 2021
Catheris mainly works on worn tarpaulins, salvaged from markets and street sellers in Kinshasa. This medium gives his work a powerful symbolic dimension. It reflects the socioeconomic situation of the people of Kinshasa, and beyond that, the precariousness of the human condition. Having produced a large number of portraits, in 2020 Catheris started a new series – Notre histoire – looking at his country’s colonial past. Ébalé is purchasing five of these very large works, including the impressive Roi du Congo belge. Angalia has been supporting Catheris since 2021 and represents him in Europe. He will soon be showcased on the gallery’s website. The Ethan Cohen Gallery in New York also recently started representing him, and hosted his first solo exhibition in February.
NGULE
Né en 1999 à Kinshasa (RDC).
Première acquisition par Ébalé : 2022
A self-taught artist, Ngule Freeman discovered his liking for drawing in his early childhood. An exceptionally talented hyper-realist, he established himself as a portrait artist at a very young age. He particularly excels in his use of graphite pencils. Angalia noticed him in 2021 and Ébalé acquired its first work in 2022. In Nkento (meaning jealousy or hatred in Kikongo), he evokes the violent social relationships of young people in Kinshasa. There are more works to come from the same series.