Artist, Democratic Republic of Congo (b. 1980)

 

Patrick Bongoy was born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. He currently lives and works in Cape Town.

 

The textured surface of his works are the result of a painstaking process of cutting and weaving together strips of hessian and rubber. This complex technique, carefully layered in a three-dimensional relief, draw on traditional basket making skills while referencing the difficult colonial histories and physical labour which defines day to day living in the DRC. 

 

Bongoy featured in the first Stellenbosch Triennale in 2020, and he work has been exhibited at fair including Contemporary Istanbul, 1-54 London and Lisboa Art Fair. His works have been placed in collections around the world, including: Nando’s (both in the UK and SA); SADI Collectif, DR Congo Africa; First Collection, Israel; IZIKO South African National Gallery;  UNISA Art Gallery, Johannesburg and Amazon South Africa.