Biography

Born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1974, Maurice Hermès Mbikayi attended the Academies des Beaux Arts and graduated with a diploma in Graphic Design and visual communication in 2000. He decided to expand his horizons and moved to South Africa in mid-2004. Having recently been one of the Spier Contemporary 2010 biennale selected artists,he was also selected to participate in the 2010 Hollard Exchange Program facilitated by the Spier Arts Academy in Cape Town.

Since arriving in South Africa, Maurice has participated in various group exhibitions as The AVA Gallery,The Centre for African Studies Gallery/UCT, The Alliance Francaise of SA, The National Museum of Swaziland, CCF/Maputo, Mozambique, The S.A.Iziko Slave Lodge, and the Harare International Festival of the Arts 2008 in Zimbabwe(HIFA 2008). Maurice has co-facilitated group processes and workshops and using art for therapeutic purposes within the broader community, Maurice explores various aspects of visual art and public performance, as a way of engaging the public and interrogating socio-political boundaries.

Artist Statement

My work is primarily related with Identity, History and technology seeking to interrogate socio-political boundaries. And as cultural activist I’m interested in identity, origin and space. How an individual can compromise, renegotiate space, and adapt to become reborn. I also investigate the effects of technology on identity and history, while unpacking the ways in which technology has had an impact on diverse African populations. As an artist, I draw on the numerous technological resources available for realizing some ideas more efficiently.

I particularly focus on various ways in which the advanced technological revolution of the last twenty years has both positively and negatively impacted on the world generally and Africa in particular. The reliance on mining for natural resources for instance, has made Africa and its people vulnerable to low-wage labour abuse, as well as a range of issues beyond their control, dictated by international economic markets. This has had a devastating impact on Africa cultural and environmental diversity.

Proceeding by collecting hardware remnants of this rapidly developing technology and other found objects and incorporating them into my work, The resultant mixed media drawings and sculptures ask questions such as to whom such technological resources are made available and at what or whose expense? What are the consequences impacting on our people and environment?

I look at similarities of differences of populations from diverse background and their response related to human earth issues.