Contemporary African art in Madrid

In 2013 I had the opportunity to meet three different artists.

Ehoodi Kichapi (Kenya), Salah EL Mur (Sudan), and Souad Abdelrasoul (Egypt); And due to my unconditional conviction and my great interest in the development of contemporary African art in Spain, I have the privilege of once again presenting these artists in my Gazzambo gallery.

My first contact with Souad was extremely fluid, and I no doubt understood his work immediately.

She is an Egyptian woman of strong roots, but with an open look on the world. The woman has a very important role and her work is the reflection of these.

 Salah El Mur knows that he is an artist since childhood, as he says "I started scribbling before saying my first words".

 His work is the dedication to African modernism and reveals his intense spiritual faith and his deep artistic tradition Sudanese.

I met Ehoodi Kichapi in April 2012, through an amazing article in the Business Daily in Nairobi, "Ehoodi: Charlatan or new Picasso"; I thought, I dared ... but I decided to meet him.

He found a strong inspiration in the work of Jean Michel Basquiat.

The same reflections in his compositions, almost violent, with a cry to justice and cultural identity.

She has a bright future as a contemporary emerging artist.

Gazzambo Gallery welcomes you to this exhibition.

For this exhibition, Ivan Lieman and Rafa Bertone, a photographer and an artist, illustrator, graphic designer and graffiti artist have been chosen.

A fusion and a meeting between two young people where talent and the human factor come together to offer us an urban work, involved and current.

It was wanted to provoke a reflection through art on a reality; Africa, this continent that is in full evolution full of strong feelings and concerns, but always full of hope and joy.

His works were exposed from November 25, 2015 to March 25, 2016.

Ivan Lieman, is a photo reporter, and currently freelance for AFP based in Mombasa, Kenya.

From a Spanish father and a French mother, he grew up in Kenya, and after studying in Spain and England, he lived and traveled in many countries, he has returned to Africa to show us the human realities behind a cover photo.

The construction of the Gibe III dam in the Omo Valley on the border between Kenya and Ethiopia, an area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the source of the conflict between the more than 200,000 indigenous people of Lake Turkana and the Region of the lower Omo River, whose lives and future are under serious threat.

Land grabbing and excavation work have led to a drastic decrease in the water level and salinization of the water which makes it unfit for human consumption, as well as impracticable grassland and almost impossible to fish.

As a result, ethnic groups in the Omo Valley region are forced to cross the border to fight for their survival in Lake Turkana, where their inhabitants have to use their weapons to defend their already very limited resources.

His work was exposed from December 9, 2014 to April 9, 2015.

Longinos Nagila was born in Kenya in 1986.

He is a multidisciplinary artist, born in a very religious family that instilled in him profound values, which today have a clear influence on his work.

He studied Fine Arts in Bururu Institute, Kenya and documentary and cinema in Apulia Film Commission, in Bari, Italy.

Part of his inspiration comes from black and white films, from old photography, as well as from John Baldessari or Andy Warhol, his reference artists.

In this exhibition, through mixed media work, the artist associates images transferred from traditional African people with publicity posters of "celebrities", confronting two parallel worlds that coexist in Africa.

The words he adds to his work are vital to demonstrate his political and social commitment, as are the applications of gold leaf on canvas and the golden acrylic halos on paper.

His work was exposed from November 24, 2016 until March 24, 2017.

Born in Gijón in 1982.

Graduated in Business, although he was very clear his vocation from childhood. When he was 11 years old, he took his first painting class, there he already reveals his talent in watercolor, a record he currently uses with mastery to make the sketches of his works.

After finishing his career, he was in 2007, he decides to continue his dream by enrolling in the School of Visual Art and Art Students League in New York. In this period we see an urbanite, attracted by the steel and the darker shades, carried by his surroundings and his symbiosis with it, which were always the engine of his creativity.

He is a material painter par excellence. Halfway between the abstract and the figurative, he achieves through his implicit lines infinite horizons, which in coexistence with woods, crystals, sand or sawdust, make the layers of painting become strata and wander through their landscapes as a part Of the work.

Another important facet of this artist is the "MoveArt", is a technique that employs since 2011, as official portraitist of the Prince of Asturias awards. He obtains two works on the same canvas, one that we can observe with the naked eye and another that we discover when projecting an ultraviolet light, both always related to each other.

Marcos Tamargo develops his artistic career between the United States and Europe, and from now also in Kenya.

His work was exposed from May 20 to June 30, 2016

Omar Victor Diop, was born in Dakar in 1980.

He studied in Paris and dedicated himself to corporate communication, and it was not until 2011 when he decided to dedicate himself exclusively to artistic and fashion photography, he developed the project Fashión 2112 El Futuro de la Belleza, for the Bamako Biennial, where he reached a Great success and a great international repercussion.

Since then, his work has been exhibited in Paris, London, Lisbon, Brussels, Los Angeles .... and reflected in media such as CNN, BBC, Times, El País, Elle ...

Study of the Vanities, is a series of scenic portraits inspired by the great masters of African studio photography, in which, through young professionals of Senegalese public life, we are exposed to a contemporary, cosmopolitan and explosively creative African reality .

This work was exposed from the 22 of October of 2014 until the 22 of January of 2015.

En el año 2000, Richard Kimathi recibe una carta de la comisión neoyorquina asignada para elegir los trabajos que se estamparían en la edición limitada de sellos de Naciones Unidas: “… Tú, junto con Vermeer y Matisse has sido elegido…”

Este momento fundamental aumentó el creciente reconocimiento internacional hacia el floreciente Arte Contemporáneo Africano.

 A mediados de los años 80, el Arte Africano Keniata gozó de un considerable prestigio en Alemania y América del Norte, gracias a la entusiasta promoción de la ya fallecida Ruth Schaffner y de su galería Watatu, en aquel momento un referente en Nairobi.  Los artistas emergentes de la siguiente década son ahora considerados como la primera generación de artistas de Kenia.  Richard pertenece a la segunda: Un grupo de jóvenes y dinámicos artistas de marcado carácter individualista, sin duda está entre los mejores.

Un artista serio y comprometido, Kimathi siempre explora, experimenta y busca una mejor forma de expresión. Se ha convertido en un artista con una considerable habilidad técnica, seguro en el trazado, la composición y el color, así como con una profunda capacidad de expresión.

Su trabajo rara vez trata de si mismo, habla de todos nosotros: de la humanidad y de cómo somos.  No está infectado por la ostentación ni la exageración, ni otros enaltecimientos tan evidentes en gran parte del arte contemporáneo, de nuestro masivo mundo mediatizado.

Siempre está presente un sentido del sufrimiento: Digno, incluso heróico a veces, pero siempre sin autocompasión. Su elegante simplicidad y su honestidad impregnan el conjunto de su obra. Y esa es mi recompensa, porque expresado en el lenguaje visual de Richard Kimathi, esta es la realidad de Africa!

Felicitaciones a Catherine Lieman por hablar esta lengua visual, y por tener el coraje de seguir sus instintos.  Espero de corazón que su aprecio por este arte sea compartido por los visitantes de Gazzambo Gallery, y estoy segura que con su apoyo, el trabajo de Richard Kimathi obtendrá el éxito que merece. Su obra estuvo expuesta desde el 22 de octubre de 2012 hasta el 22 de julio de 2013.

At Gazzambo Gallery we are specialized in contemporary African art that we present in different exhibitions in a space full of charm and personality located in the Madrid neighborhood of Chamberí. In our gallery we offer a treatment close to the client, by appointment, to explain in detail the symbolism and the most important characteristics of each work of art.

The space is inspired by the colonial style with high glass ceilings, wooden beams, large windows and an interior patio that makes it a unique place. We host a permanent exhibition of stone sculptures of different artists with an extraordinary talent such as Richard Kimathi, Dominic Benhura, Joe Mutasa, Agnes Nyanhongo, Colleen Madamombe or Amos Supuni.

We also organize exhibitions of painting or photography in a timely manner throughout the year. The main objective of our gallery is to bring to the art lovers the singularity and beauty of these works.

Contact us and call us to make an appointment, we will attend to you in a totally personalized way and we will explain the works that make up the current exhibition.

This Exhibition, focused on Zimbabwean artist, is an event that promises to expand the horizon and understanding of contemporary African Art.

The exoticism of the fabricated preconceptions have changed. We are now the spectators of this emerging movement with an ever-growing body of art coming from so many African artist.

Eddie Masaya, Johnson Zuze, Ngoni Tsiga and Trymore Sengai are the quintessence of our passion and perseverance since the opening of Gazzambo

Eddie Masaya, born in 1960, is a well known shona sculptor in his new phase as a painter.

He was still at school when he decided to become a sculptor following the steps of his acclaimed cousin Moses Masaya, one of the pioneer of the first generation. With him he learnt how to use the tools correctly, how to polish a piece and specially how to respect the stone.

Brighton Sango and Tafuma Gutsa have been another important reference in his work.

Nevertheless, at the end of the 70’s in spite of his decision Eddie did some paintings which were shown in The National Gallery of Zimbabwe in 1980

In 2012 the canvas called him again…but it was in 2016 when this exhibition was born due to my obsession and his motivation.

Eddie is a very spiritual person with a creative mind and has his own African aesthetical values. He is not a prisoner of anything, that’s why we thought it would be crucial for him to spent time in our workshop in Mombasa, Kenya. There he could explore a different environment, different fauna and a different African culture, subjects that are his source of inspiration.

Masaya is an extremely “avant garde” artist and his eclectics paintings are the reflection of actual Africa.

Johnson Zuze, Ngoni Tsiga and Trymore Sengai, are three contemporary young artists working with pre-existing material in purpose to transform them into a creative interpretation.

We are showing this exhibition thinking that it was the right time to be more than ever concerned about our environment.

Its a question of responsibility, people have to decide what they buy and how they dispose of it. Through art we created an impact that can help to reconvert the junk with the aim to preserve the health and the sustainability of our planet.

We hope you to enjoy this exhibition as much as us.

This Exhibition, focused on Zimbabwean artist, is an event that promises to expand the horizon and understanding of contemporary African Art.

The exoticism of the fabricated preconceptions have changed. We are now the spectators of this emerging movement with an ever-growing body of art coming from so many African artist.

Eddie Masaya, Johnson Zuze, Ngoni Tsiga and Trymore Sengai are the quintessence of our passion and perseverance since the opening of Gazzambo

Eddie Masaya, born in 1960, is a well known shona sculptor in his new phase as a painter.

He was still at school when he decided to become a sculptor following the steps of his acclaimed cousin Moses Masaya, one of the pioneer of the first generation. With him he learnt how to use the tools correctly, how to polish a piece and specially how to respect the stone.

Brighton Sango and Tafuma Gutsa have been another important reference in his work.

Nevertheless, at the end of the 70’s in spite of his decision Eddie did some paintings which were shown in The National Gallery of Zimbabwe in 1980

In 2012 the canvas called him again…but it was in 2016 when this exhibition was born due to my obsession and his motivation.

Eddie is a very spiritual person with a creative mind and has his own African aesthetical values. He is not a prisoner of anything, that’s why we thought it would be crucial for him to spent time in our workshop in Mombasa, Kenya. There he could explore a different environment, different fauna and a different African culture, subjects that are his source of inspiration.

Masaya is an extremely “avant garde” artist and his eclectics paintings are the reflection of actual Africa.

Johnson Zuze, Ngoni Tsiga and Trymore Sengai, are three contemporary young artists working with pre-existing material in purpose to transform them into a creative interpretation.

We are showing this exhibition thinking that it was the right time to be more than ever concerned about our environment.

Its a question of responsibility, people have to decide what they buy and how they dispose of it. Through art we created an impact that can help to reconvert the junk with the aim to preserve the health and the sustainability of our planet.

We hope you to enjoy this exhibition as much as us.

Born in Murehwa in 1968. All of Dominic's sculptures retain the roots of the past, and always show us absolute respect for traditions, mankind and nature.

His very diverse themes, but his last sculptures are witness to his favorite theme, children and mothers, which endows with an extreme sensitivity and expressiveness, revealing his more emotional side and the great value he gives to the family.

He is considered one of the leaders of the second generation of Zimbabwean sculptors.

Born in Nyanga in the year 1960.

This artist refers mainly to women in Zimbabwe's traditional society and to the role they play in their families.

His sculptures, often used by Springstones and Leopard Rock, are often monumental, transmit great force and are characterized by a sense of peace, calm and dignity.

Today she is Zimbabwe's most sought-after sculptor and as an internationally recognized artist, she travels regularly in different galleries, botanical gardens and museums.

This artist was born in Malawi in 1970 and died in Harare in 2008.

When he finished his secondary education, he entered a program of help for unemployed youth, there they encouraged him to continue developing his talent.

Later he was selected by Chapungu Sculpture Park to join his resident program, where he spent two very creative years working with monoliths of greater hardness and size, showing a rapid evolution and maturity in his work.

For him, his work was like 'the voice of those who do not have it', often dealing with issues such as poverty, street children or despair.

Since 1998 he is considered one of the most significant artists of the second generation.

This artist was born in Harare in 1964 and died in Harare in 2009.

She came to Chapungu Sculpture Park in 1987, and helped her husband polish the sculptures in the last process.

Thanks to her encounter with Agnes Nyanhongo, she sought her own identity and began to create by herself, she quickly developed a very personal and particular style, without being influenced by other artists.

It was inspired by the daily lives of women in Zimbabwe, but not only from an emotional or spiritual point of view, but also in their physical appearance and movement.

She felt strongly identified with issues related to mothers and children.

He was born in Rusape, in the year 1.964.

He is a sculptor of figurative influence, recognized nationally and internationally, stands out for the delicate of its details, generally uses the hardest stones, Springstone, Leopolite, Granite, and Dolomite.

Her work is inspired by the family and its environment, it focuses mainly on the figure of women and emotions.

It is able to capture the natural beauty of the woman through her posture, her look or the movement of her hair.

For Joe Mutasa, Zimbabwe stone sculpture should be considered as contemporary art, without losing its African roots.

Born in Mombasa in 1.974.

He was still in school when he discovered his passion for art, and with the help of his older brother, who supported him during his training, became, from an early age, a talented artist, finally succeeding in graduating in Graphic Arts in the Creative Art Center in Nairobi.

  In 1996 he joined the Kuona Trust art studio at the National Museum of Kenya, and a year later was named Most Promising Artist of the Year.

In the year 2000, due to the United Nations election of one of his works to form part of the limited edition of stamps, was when the race of Richard Kimathi took off.

He has participated in numerous exhibitions, both individual and collective, in a national and international environment

Richard Kimathi, insists: "The subject of my paintings can be questioned by many people ... my work tends to be provocative, but it is always in harmony with myself"