Deep Ambivalences: Malangatana's Anti/Colonial Aesthetic

This essay reveals the “anti/colonial” character of work by the pioneering artist Malangatana Ngwenya, showing how his early paintings and drawings reflect his evolving engagement with Mozambique’s efforts to achieve independence from Portugal.

Introduction: Looking in All Directions

This essay introduces and provides an overview of the digital publication documenting an exhibition and discussions of early work by the pioneering artist Malangatana Ngwenya (1936–2011), a key figure in the emergence of modern art in Mozambique.

Works in the Exhibition

This section documents the paintings, drawings, and interpretive texts that appeared in an exhibition dedicated to the early work of pioneering artist Malangatana Ngwenya (1936–2011), a key figure in the emergence of modern art in Mozambique.

"The Complete Painter": Malangatana's Approach to Painting, 1959–75

Based on conservation research associated with an exhibition of early work by pioneering Mozambican artist Malangatana Ngwenya, this essay describes his painting methodologies as revealed by material evidence and state-of-the-art visualization techniques.

Malangatana as Ethnographer? Modern Paintings of Village Life

This essay surveys ethnographic elements in the early work of pioneering Mozambican artist Malangatana Ngwenya (1936–2011) and situates his oeuvre with respect to the global trajectory of modern art.

Affinities: Malangatana, Surrealism, and Black Liberatory Politics

This essay surveys surrealist elements in the early work of pioneering Mozambican artist Malangatana Ngwenya (1936–2011) and argues that his career reflects both the political ambitions and the international character of surrealism.

Installation Views

This section documents the paintings, drawings, interpretive texts, and exhibition design for a display of early work by the pioneering artist Malangatana Ngwenya (1936–2011), a key figure in the emergence of modern art in Mozambique.