Especially for Black History Month, resident of Brussels and self-taught artist with Congolese roots Kenny Mala Ngombe, made a six-part artwork for the facade of AB.
He found the inspiration for the banners in radio reports, films, music and articles. In keeping with this year's BHM theme: "Archiving and Afrocentrism", Ngombe's work aims to highlight the importance of the influence of ancestors. And to illuminate the beauty of the way in which artists enter into dialogue, find themselves and reinvent themselves with respect for their own culture and identity. The artwork refers to artists who share this line of thought, including Nkisi, MF DOOM and Kenny Mala Ngombe himself.
With one of the banners he pays tribute to Albert Kudjabo, a World War I prisoner of war whose voice was one of the first forms of black Belgian music. Related to the artwork, Kenny Mala Ngombe gives a personal selection of albums. It is not just a list of favorites, but also a collection of works that embody the same philosophy as his own work.
DAMN. - Kendrick Lamar / To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar / IGOR - Tyler, The Creator / CTRL - SZA / When I Get Home - Solange / Sound Ancestors - Madlib / Pieces of a Man - Mick Jenkins / Uncovered, Vol. 1 - Samuel Coleridge-Taylor / Don Dada Mixtape Vol. 1 - Alpha Wann / Baduizm - Erykah Badu / 90059 - Jay Rock / QALF - Damso / DIE FOR MY BITCH - Baby Keem / Muthaz Day 3 - BbyMutha / Niña de fuego - Buika / Diz 'N' Bird at Carnegie Hall - Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie / Dizzier & Dizzier - Dizzy Gillespie / Barter 6 - Young Thug / Les Meilleurs success Vol. 1 - Franco Luambo Makiadi / DJ KITOKO - Vol. 3 / The Dark Orchestra - Nkisi / Kill EP - Nkisi / Rodeo - Travis Scott / The Most Known Unknown - Three 6 Mafia
The six-part artwork can be admired on the facade of Ancienne Belgique during the month of March.
Picture: Rami Hara