Kwame Sousa
About the Artist
Kwame Sousa, born in 1980 in São Tomé e Príncipe, is a versatile and self-taught artist whose work spans across installations, paintings, and sculptures. His artistry was notably showcased in 2014 at prestigious platforms such as the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Lisbon Cinema Festival, where he presented the video 'Moinga House' in collaboration with artist René Tavares. Beyond his contributions to the art world through his creations, Sousa is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists as a teacher at Atelier M, an art school in São Tomé.
Sousa's artistic endeavors are driven by a desire to question and critique societal norms. Through his work, he seeks to stimulate discussions around human, social, and economic development, viewing visual arts as a crucial catalyst for self-esteem, solidarity, and social cohesion. He emphasizes the importance of art in fostering a sense of identity, self-awareness, freedom of expression, and intercultural dialogue.
One of Sousa's significant recent projects, 'O Reino Angolar a Origem' (Origin of the Angolar Kingdom), delves into the heritage and origins of the Angolares, a distinct group within the Santomense community characterized by their unique culture and language. Through this work, Sousa aims to uncover and bring to light the rich and largely unexplored narratives of the Angolares, contributing to a broader understanding and appreciation of São Tomé e Príncipe's cultural diversity.