Artists

Tusevo Landu is a mixed-media artist originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Born in 1997, Landu arrived in South Africa with his family at the age of nine. In 2018, he studied printmaking at the Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg. Landu's practice encompasses acrylic painting, printmaking, drawing, and various mixed media, reflecting his desire to explore the diverse facets of human expression. Landu, like many of his Black contemporaries, faces the daily reality of injustice and discrimination. Instead of following a traditional political route to combat these injustices, he has turned to culture and the power of artistic expression to envision and advocate for an alternative to an oppressive reality. In alignment with the Afro-futurist movement, Landu sees his art as a significant social event in the contemporary world. His mission is to breathe life and fullness into the void that often characterises the construction, perception, and economy of Black life, with the ultimate aim of restoring a profound sense of pride to Black bodies.

Landu's experiences as a Congolese artist living in South Africa have been a driving force in shaping his artistic practice. He employs traditional African masks, typically used in Congolese coming-of-age ceremonies, as symbols of the enigmatic nature of his chosen subjects. Through his work, Landu explores how such cultural events can profoundly affect one's life, based on their appearance, bridging the gap between the ancestral and the contemporary. In Landu's view, art transcends its role as a mere commodity; it becomes a political statement, an allegory, a form of demonstration, a method of storytelling, and even a therapeutic medium. Through his multifaceted practice, Tusevo Landu invites viewers to delve into the intricate layers of human existence, where culture, history, and identity intertwine to shape our understanding of the world and the narratives that define it. Landu's work not only provokes thought but also speaks to the soul, striving to be a catalyst for change and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

In 2022, Landu held a residency at The Cape Town Art Residency. He has participated in several group exhibitions and two solo exhibitions. The first was at the Simchowitz Gallery in Pasadena, California, in 2022 and the second at Latitudes Centre for the Arts in Johannesburg in 2023.