Original work/Amisi François. Oil on canvas illustrating... Lot 23

Original work/Amisi François. Oil on canvas illustrating a market scene in a range of colors exclusively blue. Signed around 1999. TBE+. 50 X 100 cm This work was realized for the exhibition "Mawazo" organized by "Les amitiés Belgo-Congolaises" in Brussels in 1999. The ASBL provided the necessary material (directly from Belgium) to all the selected artists so that they could realize their works in the best conditions. The association was founded in 1990 by H Simonet, F Monheim and M Lion. Its aim is to develop and promote friendly relations between Belgium and the Congo, mainly on the cultural and social levels. At the same time, it organizes occasional aid for the Congolese population. Born in 1935 in the province of Maniema, François Amisi enrolled in 1951 at the Academy of Fine Arts of Lubumbashi directed by Laurent Moonens. The institution was inspired by the Hangar despite a difference in principles and methods. In 1954, the Hangar closed its doors and its members joined the Academy. François Amisi quickly left the Academy to follow his own path. In 1953, he created the "flame" style, inspired by a vision, where his gaze perceives through the flames human beings, animals and objects slightly distorted. This style was first shown to the public during the International Exhibition in Mulongwe, Zimbabwe. In 1954, Amisi distinguished himself and won the painting prize of the Belgian Ministry of Colonies. In the years 1955-56, he refined the "bled" style, inspired by stained glass. In his studio, always looking for innovative styles, new techniques and creations, he perfects the "chopped" and "cross" styles. He also discovered what experts would call the "whirlwind" style, symbolized by the movement and vivacity of scenes of daily life of men and women, dancers, hunters, markets, but also animals in freedom and objects such as masks, whose diversity of expressions he emphasizes, structuring the faces in such a way as to touch on the supernatural and the cult of ancestors. Amisi's colorful universe gives life to sparkling works, full of charm, intensity and movement, depicting a Congo with a thousand and one facets. The Royal Museum of Africa has 2 works of the artist in its collections. As part of the twinning between Liege and Lubumbashi, the Grand Curtius museum has organized an exhibition in 2019 around the work of the painter François Amisi, representative of the school of Lubumbashi.