Untitled
Painting, 98 x 98 cm.
Materials: oil, canvas
Collection: Collection M HKA, Antwerp (Inv. no. M00047).
In the seventies Lilanga devoted himself to painting and combined acrylic paint and Masonite, which is a type of hardboard. From that time on, Lilanga’s reputation also began to spread beyond his own continent. The works presented here clearly reveal how the artist uses Western materials to serve his purpose. The use of Makonde characters and bright colours creates an impressive display. He links various cultures and traditions in order to convey his experiences and those of his people. These exemplary works by Lilanga function, in the totality of the collection, by way of a contextual deepening of the mural painting by Keith Haring, an artist who was unmistakably influenced by him.
