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Nude
2006-8
Wood and wood glue
Collection of the artist
Photo by Franko Khoury
Aimé Mpane tells the story of a man who was so frustrated with the state of politics and the condition of life in Congo that he stripped bare before his leaders to convey the full profundity of his message. For Mpane, the nude male figure symbolizes human beings in general and the beauty and dignity of Africans in particular. Mpane carved nine nudes, which have been exhibited together and in various smaller configurations. With each nude he glued pieces of cheap plywood into one large block from which he carved the figure. In this way he created a solid piece, rich in texture and color variation, to reveal the beauty of unassuming materials. This piece appears alone for the first time. Tall and proud, the figure faces the door on the other side of which stands a figure Mpane crafted entirely out of matchsticks. This solitary figure bears witness to the lingering shadows in Congo's history. Together these artworks demonstrate the artist's creative approach to his materials.
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