Paulo kapela

Mestre Paulo Kapela, hailing from the Province of Uige, Angola, embarked on his artistic journey in the early 1960s after enrolling at the Poto-Poto School of Painting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. A self-taught artist at heart, Kapela eventually made his way to Luanda, where he opened his atelier and connected with fellow artists who would later become integral members of UNAP (the National Union of Visual Artists). Known for his distinctive installations of altars and his adept use of collage, text, and narrative, Kapela's work intricately weaves his personal narrative of migration between Luanda and the Congo, exploring themes of identity and belonging within the context of Angola's political history.

Despite facing challenging living conditions, Kapela's resilient spirit and creative drive led him to explore a variety of media beyond traditional painting, including collage, writing, stencils, and the use of recycled materials. His innovative approach to art has not only served as inspiration to many contemporary Angolan artists but has also garnered him significant recognition, such as the ICBC Prize from the International Centre for Bantu Civilisations in Brazzaville in 2003.

Kapela's contributions to the art world have been recognized in numerous group exhibitions, including the prestigious Venice Biennale in Italy in 2007 and "You Love Me, You Love Me Not" in Porto, Portugal, in 2015. His work, which reflects a deep engagement with his cultural heritage and contemporary issues, is held in both private and public collections, notably including the Sindika Dokolo Foundation in Angola, underscoring his enduring influence in the realm of contemporary art.

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