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Pierre Sandor Diabankouezi
Congolese Mikwe painting
Mikwe painting is a traditional painting style from the Republic of Congo. Originally applied as decorative art directly on home walls, Mikwe painting captures important aspects of daily village life through depictions including dancing, drumming, hunting, fishing, and harvesting.
Pierre Sandor Diabankouezi, who began painting at the age of 5, learned Mikwe from his father, a well-known Mikwe artist in Congo’s capital city, Brazzaville. Pierre, who has dedicated his life to the presentation and preservation of Congolese art forms, is also a dancer, choreographer and musician.
Pierre participated in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program in 2010 with apprentice Muisi-Kongo Malonga, who is the daughter of Pierre’s cousin and late master artist Malonga Casquelourd. Their apprenticeship empahsized nbongi, a traditional philosophy exemplified and transmitted by Mikwe painting, which emphasizes community gathering and learning.