20th Nov, 2024 19:00
20th Century & Contemporary Art
49
Patrick Bongoy (Democratic Republic of the Congo 1980-)
Stingray
found inner rubber tubes and layflat rubber on board
Artwork date: 2023
R150,000 - R250,000
Buyers Premium
found inner rubber tubes and layflat rubber on board
Artwork date: 2023
(1)
205 x 167 x 22.5 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, Cape Town.
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
Congolese artist, Patrick Bongoy, now based in Cape Town, transforms reclaimed rubber – a material tied to his country's history of colonial exploitation – into powerful, thought-provoking sculptures that delve into themes of displacement, oppression, and environmental degradation. His intricate, layered works harness the value and significance of recycling, drawing on traditional Congolese basket weaving while referencing the grueling labor of blue-collar workers and the volatile political history of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bongoy explains that the use of discarded tyres, hessian cloth, and industrial packaging are reimagined as vessels of resilience, becoming symbols “of both survival and renewal”.[1]
Through his use of industrial waste, Bongoy invites viewers to confront pressing issues of consumption, exploitation, and the scars left by colonialism, while inspiring hope for a future grounded in sustainability and justice. His work transcends materiality, presenting a compelling fusion of history, activism, and transformation. Bongoy’s figurative compositions possess a profound historical understanding, subtly weaving overt and hidden symbols that reflect his insight into the seismic shifts impacting Africa's economic, political, religious, and social landscapes. Celebrated internationally, Bongoy’s sculptures are a testament to his vision of reclaiming discarded matter as an act of defiance.
[1] Personal communication with the artist sent to Amy Carrington on 01/11/2024.
COLLECTOR'S NOTE
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Most recently, Patrick Bongoy was shortlisted for the prestigious LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize in May 2024 where he showcased his work alongside other global artisans at an exhibition opening at Palais de Tokyo in Paris. The exhibition ran from 15 May - 9 June 2024.
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Bongoy was recently featured in an exhibition titled Ebbing, which ran from 12 February - 12 May 2024, at Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch.
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Art fair exhibits include, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in (2023 & 2024), ARCO Lisboa, Untitled Art, Miami and EXPO Chicago (2022) and 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London (2021 & 2022).
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Bongoy's current exhibition, Signifying the Impossible Song, is being showcased at the Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora (Miami MoCAAD) till 30 March 2025.
COLLECTIONS
The artist is represented in numerous local and international collections, notably, SADI Collectif, Kinshasa; First Collection, Israel; Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town; UNISA Art Gallery, Pretoria and the Amazon collection, South Africa.
The overall condition is good.
Minor surface dirt throughout.
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