Tusevo Landu

Tusevo Landu (b.1997, Kinshasa, DRC) studied at the Artists Proof Studio but later went on to become a self-taught painter. Landu's practice encompasses acrylic painting, print-making, drawing, and various mixed media, reflecting his desire to explore the diverse facets of human expression.

Landu, like many of his Black contemporaries, faces the daily reality of injustice and discrimination. Instead of following a traditional political route to combat these injustices, he has turned to culture and the power of artistic expression to envision and advocate for an alternative to an oppressive reality. In alignment with the Afro-futurist movement, Landu sees his art as a significant social event in the contemporary world. His mission is to breathe life and fullness into the void that often characterises the construction, perception, and economy of Black life, with the ultimate aim of restoring a profound sense of pride to Black bodies.

Landu's experiences as a Congolese artist living in South Africa have been a driving force in shaping his artistic practice. He employs traditional African masks, typically used in Congolese coming-of-age ceremonies, as symbols of the enigmatic nature of his chosen subjects. Through his work, Landu explores how such cultural events can profoundly affect one's life, based on their appearance, bridging the gap between the ancestral and the contemporary.

In Landu's view, art transcends its role as a mere commodity; it becomes a political statement, an allegory, a form of demonstration, a method of storytelling, and even a therapeutic medium.

Through his multifaceted practice, Tusevo Landu invites viewers to delve into the intricate layers of human existence, where culture, history, and identity intertwine to shape our understanding of the world and the narratives that define it. Landu's work not only provokes thought but also speaks to the soul, striving to be a catalyst for change and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Landu lives work in Cape Town, ZA

Education

2018: Artists Proof Studio, Johannesburg, ZA

Solo Exhibitions

2023: “An Introduction”, Latitudes Centre for the Arts, Johannesburg, ZA

2022: “Now or Never”, Simchowitz Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA

Group Exhibitions

2023: “Winter group show”, Everard Read, Cape Town, ZA

2020:  (un)Masked, Artists Proof Studio, Johannesburg, ZA

2020: The Lockdown collection, Artists Proof Studio and the University Of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, ZA

2019: Louis Khela Maqhubela and Douglas Portway, Artists Proof Studio and Straus & Co, Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, ZA

2019: Fundamentalist Rationalism, Eclectica Print Gallery, Cape Town, ZA

Residency

2022: Cape Town Residency, Cape Town, ZA

Accolades

2022: Simchowitz Collection, Los Angeles, USA

2019: Finalists of Fundamentalist Rationalism Print Competition, Eclectica Gallery, Cape Town, ZA