From Violence to Valor

December 15, 2009 lchris32

MEET THE ARTIST:

Gonçalo Mabunda was born in Mozambique and has only been a full-time artist since 1997. Previous to this exposure of African art, I had never heard of Mabunda. He focuses primarily on sculpture, but it is the materials used that make his work so incredibly fascinating. The scupltures aren’t just made from ordinary scrap metal, but from deactivated weapons that had been stock-piled and hidden during the civil war that divided Mozambique. His website states that he uses these materials of ”strong political connotations which carry collective memory.” For Mabunda it isn’t always about what he makes. Instead, it is more about the emotional story the materials have. The reason I chose not to pick one piece of his artwork is because they all are amazing. The symbolism behind these sculptures doesn’t pertain to the subject of the sculptures anyways. The first presentation of his artwork actually occured on the Africaserver in 1999, and since then his popularity has increased. I decided to share this artist simply because this man has managed to take something used for violence and turn it into something beautiful and enjoyable. It’s like taking evil and turning it into good.

 

“Jesus Christ Riddled”

 

 

“The Artist”

 

“The Rescue Helicopter”

 

sources:

http://www.designserver.nl/nucleo2/

http://www.vmcaa.nl/vm/virtual/index.html

http://www.goncalomabunda.net/

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized

One Comment Add your own

• 1. Lisa Kljaich  |  December 19, 2009 at 3:51 pm

  Wow! Thanks for sharing this amazingly creative artist. Art seems to be the only way to utilize materials intended for cruelty.

  Reply

Trackback this post  |  Subscribe to comments via RSS Feed