While at the Sociedade Nacional das Belas Artes for the 50DE25 exhibition, I also had the opportunity to see the much larger exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of Mozambique’s independence, proclaimed on June 25, 1975, following the April 25 Revolution and the Lusaka Accords. Unfortunately, by the time you read this article, the collective exhibition has already ended, as has 50DE25.
It was my intention to publish this blog entry weeks ago, but as we all know… Time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana.
The art on display show an intergenerational and pluralistic perspective on the trajectories of Mozambican artistic creation over the past five decades. The selected works reflect historical dynamics, political tensions, and forms of cultural resistance that span time. They invoke collective memory, ethnocultural discourses, and island life, configuring art as a space for emancipation and re-existence. These are not my words, but are the curators’ statement.
The list of artists who participated in this collective body of work is huge!
Amáncio Chivite, Amilton Néves Cunha, Ângela Ferreira, Anésia Manjate, Bela Rocha, Butcheca, Carmen Muianga, Celestino Mudaulane, Chichorro, Chris Inácio, Diogo Navarro, Ernesto Muando, Estevão Mucavele, Fernando Machian, Félix Mula, Filipe Branquinho, Funcho, Gemuce, Gonçalo Mabunda, Hernany Gonçalves, Idelfonso Colaço, João Paulo Quehá, Joaquim Canotilho, Joca Faria, José Cabral, José Pádua, Justino António Cardoso, Kheto Lualuali, Kok Nam, Lara Guerra, Leonel Santos, Lívio de Morais, Lulu Maparangue, Luis Basto, Luís Braga, Macários Nkuba, Malangatana, Malenga, Manuela Bronze, Manuela Madeira, Marcos Muthewuye, Maria Celeste Maia Bentley, Mário Forjaz, Mário Macilau, Matxoss Pereira, Mauro Pinto, Miguel Valingue, Miro, Moira Forjaz, Mucavele, Naftal Langa, Nelly Guambe, Nino Trindade, Noel Langa, Ntaluma Escultor Makonde, Pekiwa, Pedro Langa, Phiri Macuacua, Reinata Sadimba, Ricardo Rangel, Rodrigo Mabunda, Rogério, Rui Paiva, Santos Mabunda, Sérgio Costa, Sérgio Santimano, Simbraz, Susy Bila, Thandi Pinto, Tomo, Yasmine Forte, Zé Júlio
