Created in association with Ugandan gallery Afriart and The Africa Centre, the London solo exhibition « (Un)choreographed » by Tanzanian contemporary artist Sungi Mlengeya pays homage to the history of dance and the many ways in which it liberates women in Africa and its diaspora.
Born in 1991, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the contemporary artist turns his art mainly to acrylic on canvas. This artistic technique enables him to create free, minimalist paintings tinged with a touch of inspiring negativity. These works frequently reveal dark figures depicted in shades oscillating between brown and black against white backgrounds, paintings in homage to the women who make up her environment.
Curated by Tammi Bello and Jessica Lowe-Mbirimi, « (Un)choreographed » open through July 24, 2022, features eight striking, large-scale works of art that exude energy and praise the energy and strength of their subjects, black women. « (Un)choreographed » reflects Sungi Mlengeya‘s newfound interest in immersing herself in her abundant culture as a disclosure excursion. Through dance, Sungi Mlengeya is interested in larger social issues concerning the empowerment of women, especially black women.
For the Tanzanian artist, the evolution of dance, among many others, has always brought opportunity and happiness to her and many others around her.
Whatever their excursions, struggles, accomplishments and relationships, Sungi Mlengeya has been driven to give them enough focus by portraying them in a way where they are disconnected from the norms or prohibitive parameters that prevent them from pursuing their true desires and being themselves. The dance embodies their view of the world.