Artist Spotlight - Bodys Isek Kingelez
The sheer feeling of relief and joy I felt when I approached Bodys Isek Kingelez’ work was almost overwhelming.
It was like walking into what cities could look like if they were based on human needs (including grandeur and imagination) rather than greed. The optimism and skill that went into each restaurant, hospital, and skyscraper was heartbreakingly beautiful. By transforming corporate by-products into stunning spaces Kingelez, gave us all a blueprint for creating something vibrant on top of fascism and corruption.
Kingelez was born in The Democratic Republic of Congo and lived through his country’s independence from Belgium in 1960. Sadly, the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, came to power just 5 years later, and over the next 35 years he destroyed the country’s economy and infrastructure for the benefit of his own family and friends.
During this time, Kinshasa, the capital city where Body Isek Kingelez lived, became a sprawling, chaotic place, overbuilt by the World Bank and the dictator without the needed infrastructure. In late 1977, Kingelez began assembling fantastic structures that offered a redemptive vision for his city.
From 1978 to 2000, Bodys Isek Kingelez created over 300 sculptures including a hospital for people suffering from AIDS, a red, green and black building celebrating the Oslo Accord’s affirmation of Palestine’s right to self-government and a large-scale sculpture based on the village he was born in, complete with a soccer stadium. None of his cities ever contained a prison.
“I wanted my art to serve the community that is being reborn to create a new world… I created these cities so there would be lasting peace, justice and universal freedom. They will function like small secular states with their own political structure, and will not need policemen or an army.”
Love this, thank you for introducing me to his work!
It was exciting to have new (and so intriguing) art turn up unexpectedly in my inbox. Thank you.