When brilliant minds unite, “Sculpture Libende Today” emerges. In this exclusive interview, I was privileged to engage with both the founder and co-founder of this groundbreaking collective. Though we’ve previously delved into their individual perspectives, this conversation transcends those boundaries—it reveals the pulsating synergy that is quintessentially “Libende Today.”
Although we came armed with prepared questions, the conversation effortlessly took on a life of its own. Rather than steer it back, we decided to embrace this organic ebb and flow. In our quest to retain the raw essence of this exchange, we’ve chosen to present it unfiltered, allowing you, our esteemed readers, to experience it just as it happened.
But first, immerse yourself in the setting: Picture yourself in the heart of an artist’s workshop, in Kinshasa, amidst colossal metal sculptures—three majestic gorillas, a regal elephant, a graceful okapi, and a soulful saxophonist.
As our conversation deepens, in the periphery, an artist passionately paints on a raffia canvas, encapsulating the spirit of the “Jeux de la Francophonie.”
The atmosphere is thick with creative energy, yet there’s also a poignant undertone—after all, it’s the 1st of August, a day deeply revered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A day of remembrance for loved ones lost, followed by a celebration of those who remain, anchoring our dialogue in both reverence and inspiration.
With the ambiance set, let’s journey into the heart of “Sculpture Libende Today”.
Kitokongo: Maitre Tamba and Maitre Ntoto, it’s a pleasure to be in your atelier today. Could you shed some light on your collective, “Libende Today”?
Libende Today: We’re delighted to have you here. Absolutely, “Sculpture Libende Today” was established this year by myself, Tamba Pambu, and my esteemed co-founder, Simplus Ntoto. Our collective represents a myriad of artists, and we’re actively seeking to incorporate rising talents into our fold.
Kitokongo: What’s the idea behind this collective?
Libende Today: Our collective aims to contribute to the country’s beautification. Everyone’s discussing urban beautification, especially in Kinshasa. We, as sculptors, wondered how we could help both the beautification initiative and society in general. Our approach involves collecting scrap metal, discarded vehicles, and other metallic waste, which we then transform into art pieces. It’s our art—not just metal sculpting but transforming waste into artwork. It’s delightful to think someone might purchase an artwork, unaware that its foundation was once discarded by them. This way, we not only bring joy but also contribute to a cleaner environment. Our primary goal with “Libende Today” is to have a positive impact on society and the environment. Many of Kinshasa’s health issues stem from the rampant waste and pollution, and this is our way of addressing that.
It’s our art—not just metal sculpting but transforming waste into artwork… Our primary goal with “Libende Today” is to have a positive impact on society and the environment.
Kitokongo: What does the name “Sculpture Libende Today” mean?
Libende Today: Our collective’s name translates to “Metal Sculpture Today.” It’s a blend of French, Lingala, and English. “Libende” means metal or iron in Lingala. We believe it’s our time to shine in the realm of metal sculpture, and our unique approach will revolutionize the craft. We’re the ones to watch right now, hence “Sculpture Libende Today.”
We believe it’s our time to shine in the realm of metal sculpture, and our unique approach will revolutionize the craft.
Kitokongo: Earlier, you touched on actively seeking out promising apprentices to join you. Could you delve deeper into this initiative?
Libende Today: “Libende Today” will bring much positivity and shed new light on the country’s sculpting scene. While we had the opportunity to learn, many haven’t been as fortunate. We’re organizing competitions alongside our exhibitions where artists can showcase their metal-based works. While there are many sculptors out there, we want to give them a platform to shine. We, along with an art historian Mr. Manuel Nzongo, will judge the entries. Those who don’t get selected shouldn’t lose heart. We’ll keep offering learning opportunities with every “Libende Today” event, ensuring artists get a chance to join us. Besides joining our collective, prizes will be awarded to top contenders.
Kitokongo: When and where is your next event, and can you share its theme?
Libende Today: Our inaugural event is an exhibition scheduled from September 8th to the 29th at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa. Themed around the inception of the “Libende Today” collective, it’s our first grand public presentation of our work. We’re deeply appreciative to Mr. Henri Kalama Akulez, the Academy’s director, for his trust and the rare opportunity he’s afforded us to exhibit at the Academy.
Kitokongo: Why did you choose the Academy of Fine Arts for such an important event?
Libende Today: We are alumni of the Academy of Fine Arts. We took what we learned there and further honed it, resulting in “Libende Today.” Holding our premiere exhibition there is symbolic. It’s our way of showing appreciation to our professors and thanking the institution. Not many artists return to their alma mater, but we believe in showcasing our growth and evolution in front of our mentors and professors. We see it as an examination, a return home. This exhibition will also be a guiding light for current students, helping them find direction in the vast world of art. Through “Libende Today,” they will see the possibilities, be inspired, and hopefully push the boundaries even further. The exhibition will include dialogues and discussions, allowing students and professors to engage with us and understand our journey. The academy is a foundation for such discourse, and through “Libende Today”, we get a chance to express ourselves. We haven’t gone abroad for studies. Everything we’ve achieved and wish to showcase is a result of our local education and the academy in particular.
Kitokongo: What are your future plans and how do you envision your future?
Libende Today: As we’ve mentioned, everything began with the inception of Libende Today, showcased at its first exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts. This birth is our primary focus. Yet, we aim to expand beyond. Soon, we are planning an exhibition at the Central Station Square. We don’t want our art to be restricted to a select few who can access the Academy. Our goal is to display our creations in public places for everyone to experience. We’re also gaining media attention and collaborating with B1 TV, which has international reach. All these efforts ensure our voice is heard. We also plan to create colossal works in collaboration with the government. These won’t be credited to individual artists like Maître Tamba or Maître Ntoto but will be recognized as Libende Today’s masterpieces. An artwork that is monumental and transcends the artists themselves. This project has government support. And beyond that, we have a plethora of plans. To express ourselves fully, we needed a starting point. Like counting, one must start at one to eventually reach ten, twenty, and so forth. Through this inception, our aim is to contribute to our society and country by enriching local art with a new style and performance. And as we mentioned, our vision isn’t confined to Kinshasa. We aspire to make our presence felt worldwide, visiting other countries to express, share, and learn. We believe in the mutual exchange of thoughts on life, art, and sculpture. Such rich interactions will ensure societal advancement. I always say we, all people across continents, share similar perspectives. We’re united, and it’s essential for us to exchange, complement, and learn from each other. We’re well-prepared and clear about our path and aspirations, not just for ourselves or our country but for our era, our continent Africa and why not the world.
We aspire to make our presence felt worldwide, visiting other countries to express, share, and learn. Such rich interactions will ensure societal advancement. We’re united, and it’s essential for us to exchange, complement, and learn from each other.
Kitokongo: Earlier, you mentioned your unique style. Can you elaborate on that?
Libende Today: We encapsulate it as “Sculpture Libende Today”. But if we trace back, there were preceding art movements. We aimed to introduce a fresh wave; a new trend. Earlier, there were avant-garde pioneers—the first artists who carved their niche. Following them, Maître Beauté emerged, introducing “transsymbolism”, blending masks and coded figures. It’s a form of art that’s abstract, mysterious, and coded. Then came the “librists”, artists who wished to break free from academic conventions. Examples include Prédictimba and Maître Mampuya, among others. However, our creation isn’t about correction but continuity. With Libende Today, while librists are free in their expressions, we’ve incorporated unconventional sculpting materials, such as metal, symbolizing our liberty. But we’ve combined this with academic norms. The blend ensures we maintain a connection to our roots, akin to recognizing our ancestry through mannerisms and thought processes. We aim to strike a balance where people can identify the academy’s influence even if we diverge significantly. Libende Today, while adhering to academic standards, allows us freedom of expression. We aim to integrate what the academy taught us over decades, with our persona, culture, emotions, and feelings. This synergy birthed the current Libende, which we’re determined to promote. Regardless of initial perceptions, people will eventually appreciate and seek to understand our art. Membership in Libende Today isn’t confined to being an artist or sculptor. It’s about aligning with our vision because when one has a clear vision, excellence in any field becomes attainable.
Libende Today, while adhering to academic standards, allows us freedom of expression. We aim to integrate what the academy taught us over decades, with our persona, culture, emotions, and feelings.
Kitokongo: Now, I give you the floor. Please share anything you think I missed or anything you’d like to express.
Libende Today: Thank you. I’d like to delve deeper into ‘Libende Today’. At its core, ‘Libende Today’ stands for freedom. Throughout life, we often find ourselves working in collaboration, and while we appreciate collaboration, our primary aspiration is to foster a unique spirit and philosophy for ‘Libende Today’ that celebrates independence. This distinctive identity is what sets us apart. Without it, we’d be like any other artist, constantly navigating the mainstream channels to gain recognition. It’s true, these channels have played a part in our journey, but we refuse to be solely bound by them. We advocate for independence, but with gratitude for our origins and the paths we’ve walked.
‘Libende Today’ is not just about showcasing art. It’s about putting artists at the forefront. An artist, in essence, is a work of art themselves. They can paint pictures with words, inspire visions and dreams. Our goal is not just for audiences to appreciate the artworks but to truly engage with and listen to the artists. Listening is an art in itself. We often overlook people’s narratives and potentially miss life-changing insights.
Especially concerning today’s youth, who are incredibly creative, our aim is to go beyond the surface. It’s not just about creating beautiful pieces; it’s about nurturing a mindset, a vision, an intrinsic creation. Artworks serve as coded messages, but the real essence is the artist. The artwork is merely a reflection of the artist’s soul.
Dreaming plays a pivotal role in this. Someone without dreams, metaphorically, is like the living dead. Dreams lay the foundation of our reality. Even though not all dreams see the light of day, they’re the essence of our creation. While some might dismiss us as mere daydreamers, there are those who see the depth in our visions. And even as dreamers, we can’t capture every fragment of our dreams; sometimes, only the essence remains. And that’s the essence of what we do.
In summary, our dream for ‘Libende Today’ is a synthesis of art, artist, and the dreams that bind them together.
Libende Today’ is not just about showcasing art. It’s about putting artists at the forefront. The artwork is merely a reflection of the artist’s soul. It’s about nurturing a mindset and vision. And that’s the essence of what we do.
We hope you enjoyed this interview as much as we did. Here at kitokongo, we deeply believe in the “Sculpture Libende Today” collective and their future projects. We count ourselves fortunate to have witnessed its birth and are proud to lend our support. We hope you will join us in championing their dreams and vision. With “Libende Today,” there’s a promise of greatness that transcends borders and time, aligning seamlessly with our own mission at kitokongo.
Further Reading
- Dive deeper into the insights of co-founder Simplus Ntoto in our exclusive interview.
- Get to know the visionary founders better by visiting Papy Tamba Pambu’s profile and portfolio and Simplus Ntoto’s profile and portfolio.