Article: The Limitless Creativity of David Shongo: When Music and Art Meet
Congolese culture is abundant and full of talents in all artistic fields. And among these talents, David Shongo, pianist and visual artist, undoubtedly stands out. Co-founder of Studio 1960 and artistic director of the Kinshasa Piano Festival, he has imposed his unique style on the Congolese and international artistic landscape.
As a pianist, David Shongo excels in the art of composing and playing the piano. But his creativity doesn’t stop there. He is also a visual artist, exploring the possibilities of combining sound and image in his works. His artistic approach is marked by a deep search for symmetry between these two forms of expression and the poetic charge that they can convey towards each other. To do this, he uses archives from the precolonial, postcolonial and contemporary periods, thus testifying to the importance of history in his artistic work.
Thanks to his undeniable talent, David Shongo was able to make himself known internationally. In 2023, he was selected to participate in prestigious cultural events such as the Venice Biennale in Italy, Dok Leipzig in Germany and Ars Electronica in Austria. These opportunities allowed him to present his works and meet other artists from around the world.
One of the highlights of 2023 for David Shongo was his participation in the Venice Biennale. He considers this experience a major turning point in his career as an artist, because it had a profound impact on him and changed his approach to composition. The work he presented, entitled “The Interview of Silence”, is a performance in the form of a film concert aimed at raising awareness of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular the war of is and the impunity which has persisted for almost 30 years. For David Shongo, this participation in the Venice Biennale was an opportunity to convey a strong message, that of the search for peace in the eastern part of the DRC.
The meeting with four women who fled insecurity to go to Goma in North Kivu was a particularly striking moment for the artist. This encounter reinforced his belief in the importance of justice and advocacy in society, and inspired his artistic project at the Venice Biennale.
At the same time, David Shongo also participated in Ars Electronica in Austria, the largest international digital art festival. This event gave him another platform to showcase his work and interact with other artists and art and technology experts. His participation in these prestigious events allowed David Shongo to gain visibility and make Congolese art known on the international scene..
In conclusion, David Shongo is a talented and versatile Congolese artist, whose limitless creativity allows him to explore different forms of artistic expression. From musical composition and performance to visual art, he pushes the boundaries of art and offers a unique and captivating artistic experience. His career and his participation in world-renowned cultural events testify to his exceptional talent and his contribution to the Congolese and international artistic scene.