6 MUST-VISIT ARTY LOCATIONS IN CENTRAL AFRICA
move over to Central Africa
Welcome to Central Africa, home to people with rich history, diverse culture, and beautiful stories captured in art. This region consists of nine(9) countries: Angola, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic - Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé & Principe. Over the decades, it has been home to many socio-economic, political, and cultural changes which have greatly influenced the artistic expression of its people.
In today’s digest, we will spotlight six(6) must visit arty locations if you ever do find yourself in the Central African region.
1. GALERIE MAM
Location: Cameroun
Located in Bonanjo, Douala, Galerie MAM or The MAM Gallery has been consistent over the last 25 years in playing key and supporting roles in the careers of famous contemporary African artists such as Amadou Sow, Bili Bidjocka, Boris Nzebo, Claudie Poinsard, Franck Fanny, Soly Cissé, and Patrick Joël Tatcheda Yonkeu, just to mention a few.
For decades, the Mam gallery created a name for itself as the gallery where contemporary African artists discovered and hone their skills. Activities such as sculpting, painting, photography, art installations, design, video & music creation, and crafts, are the order of the day.
2. BOGANDA NATIONAL MUSEUM
Location: Central African Republic
The Boganda National Museum is a must visit for so many reasons. It is located in the capital city of Bangui. It is home to Central African Republic’s rich art and culture, housing collections that document the country’s natural history, archaeology, traditions, and ethnography since 1964! The museum’s collections include artefacts from all 16 provinces of the country, with a wonderful collection dedicated to the ethnic group of the pygmy people.
This Museum was christened in honour of Barthélemy Boganda, the country’s first Prime Minister when it became an autonomous territory. Barthélemy Boganda was reportedly the leading nationalist politician before the country’s independence. This was at the time when the country was still a part of French Equatorial Africa and was administered by France under the name of Oubangui-Chari.
3. SYMPHONIE DES ARTS
Location: Democratic Republic Of Congo
Located in the heart of Kinshasa, Symphonie des Arts is a scenic and truly sensational place that perfectly blends art with nature. Founded over 40 years ago by art enthusiast Christa Göpfert, the gallery is a beautiful tropical garden, filled with flowers, miniature waterfalls, peacocks, and artworks.
Symphonie des arts is considered a top gallery in the Congo art scene. This is because it has exhibited many internationally renowned artists of Congo origins including but not limited to Roger Botembe, Egide Bezeyame Nshole, and Henri Kalama Akulez.
4. THE POTO POTO SCHOOL OF PAINTING
Location: Congo Republic - Brazzaville
This iconic art school located in the heart of Brazzaville was founded in 1951 during the pre-colonial era by the French Pierre LODS. Its history is closely related to that of Congo and thus, it is perceived as a precious cultural heritage.
The school operates a cooperative style where established artists and student painters are led by Pierre Claver Gampio. The predominantly adopted art styles taught and promoted within the school are naturalist, impressionist, and abstract styles. Artworks created here often reflect daily life in the village, city, market, and forest.
Some artists also create paintings with social messages. The Poto-Poto artists often use natural pigments such as resin, charcoal, clay, charcoal, and camwood, giving the paintings a strong sense of originality. Each painting bears a unique trademark; the initials PPP (Poto-Poto Painter). Some internationally renowned Poto-Poto artists are Albert Bandila le gendarme Jacques Zigoma, Aand Eugène Malonga, François Thango, François Iloki, Joseph Dimi, Marcel Gotene, Nicolas Ondongo, and Philippe Ouassa.
5. MUSEO DE ARTE MODERNO
Location: Equatorial Guinea
In English, this translates to mean ‘Museum of Modern Art’. It is located in Malabo, the country’s capital city, and it is Equatorial Guinea’s official modern art museum.
This museum prides itself in how it displays contemporary and traditional artworks from the African continent.
Museo de Arte Moderno is home to wonderful collections that feature some of the region's most renowned artists. It aims to promote cultural exchanges, conversations, and an appreciation of Africa’s diverse culture through art.
At the moment, the Museum collaborates with young artists from across the region to create an art collection of the next generation, while supporting and educating a new generation of artists. It creates an avenue for new artists to collaborate with global institutions and also provides a space for them to exhibit their artworks.
6. CACAU CULTURAL
Location: São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé & Príncipe is home to a diverse art culture. The CACAU Cultural House embodies this in whole.
CACAU is an acronym for ‘Casa Das Artes Criação Ambiente Utopias’ which translates to ‘House of Arts, Creation, Environment and Utopias’. It is a multipurpose and multidisciplinary centre that aims to promote cultural exchange and the engagement of artists and art enthusiasts within the country. It is one of the most renowned art establishments that curates cultural events within the country. Cacau strongly believes that art plays a vital role in the development of a country and it does not hesitate to use its platform to encourage the spread of creative solutions best suited to both individual and community problems.
Because of how CACAU Cultural House is set up, it attracts a vibrant middle class who want to experience traditional dinners over art. and the sale of handmade crafts, in addition to the creation of artworks in various forms, art exhibitions, and art training.
Visiting arty places such as art galleries and museums when in different regions and countries is always a wonderful way to learn about local culture and thus, build a diverse art collection.
These six(6) highlighted arty places in Central Africa offer you the opportunity to bask in Africa’s richness and culture from different eras and lands.
Until next digest,
explore the world of art in Central Africa.
