Pavillon du Musée, 27 rue Ambroise-Fafard
July 31 to August 24
Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
_L'Arbre à Palabres Inspired by the idea of reuniting and honoring traditions and collective memories, the artist re-imagines the Kongo masks and sculptures destroyed by Portuguese forces in 1492, when the King of Kongo was baptized into Christianity, thus seeking to restore the broken link between a cultural heritage and collective identity. How can art re-establish lost connections with history and culture? Like a veritable palaver tree, a symbol of dialogue and sharing, the project invites the public to gather around shared experiences of healing, reflection and cultural renewal. How can we create a space for deep communal engagement, where everyone can participate in the resurrection of this heritage? Through interactive sculptures, performances and discussions, the artist creates a space for communal engagement, fostering the reappropriation of heritage. What role can art play in healing people in the face of colonial history?
_Biography Born in 1990, Masela Nkolo lives and works between the United States and Congo. A graduate of the Kinshasa Academy of Fine Arts, Nkolo recently received an award at the MOCA GA Biennial, an exhibition showcasing artists from Georgia. He has also won prestigious awards, such as the ArtFields Award in 2023 and 2024 in South Carolina. Currently, he is artist-in-residence at Midtown Heart of the Arts for 2025-2026, and at the Andrew Freedman Home and Art Omy, New York, for 2025.
His work has been exhibited in renowned venues such as the Johnson Lowe Gallery (Georgia), The Mint Museum (North Carolina), Atlanta Contemporary Museum (Georgia, USA), Path Museum (Georgia), ArtFields (South Carolina), as well as the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
_Approach Masela Nkolo’s multidisciplinary practice spans installation, sculpture, textiles, sound, video and performance. By deconstructing and then reconstructing objects such as screwdrivers, kerosene lamps and doors, Nkolo creates totemic figures that reflect his personal and collective experiences, offering a contemporary and syncretic reinterpretation of classical African art.
His work not only tells the story of his own journey, but also serves as a powerful plea for peace, social justice and healing.
Through his creations, he/she seeks to foster dialogue on themes such as resilience, cultural memory and the enduring human spirit. His art invites viewers to interact with these themes, fostering connections that transcend borders and promote understanding.
