JACK KABANGU

In addition to his memories, environment, and experiences, hip hop and rap music, movies, and urban life all have an impact on Kabangu’s art. Being a member of the millennial generation, listening to rap music, his style reflects the generation he belongs to. Referring to everything from his general presence to his thoughts and general aesthetic perspective.

Playfulness and cheerfulness can be seen beneath the surface of the artwork’s first impression. Kabangu believes that making art is also about having fun while doing it. Therefore, whenever viewers experience the works of Jack Kabangu, they are invited to connect with their inner joyful child, feeling positive, creative emotions, -taking the constructive, uplifting feelings into their everyday lives. Kabangu’s beginning point is to discover a link between the dark and the light, the ugly and the beauty, encapsulating the viewer in a realistic yet abstract world that may encourage the viewer to positively fantasise. Jack Kabangu is very conscious of the artistic context that reaches beyond the artwork itself when he creates his works. According to the artist, a piece of artwork is complete once it has been placed in its final environment.

There is a strong connection and visible reference to graffiti art in his paintings. This connection leads back to the East Village, New York, in the 1980s, where artists such as Jean Michael Basquiat flourished.

Text courtesy Anna Zorina Gallery