JonaQuestArt is pleased to announce its first photography exhibition, featuring the works of Leslie Genda (Sierra Leone) and Mata Nataal (Senegal).
The exhibition seeks to contribute to a different dialogue, by refocusing the attention on life in rural Africa from a celebratory perspective, through graphically stunning and psychologically engaging images.
This has been portrayed in the context of people at work and in celebration in two separate rural communities in West Africa.
The exhibition is centered on two themes:
Work: In each photograph taken in Sierra Leone by Leslie Genda, the subject is empowered in their daily lives by the depiction of them at work in the home and outside making a livelihood. These beautifully set images allow the audience to experience the authenticity of the labour process from afar, whist appreciating the diversities and commonality between us in the context of work in and outside the home.
Celebrate: This strand of the exhibition presents Mata Nataal‘s captivating photographs and video installation of an annual cultural celebration in Senegal. The unique images show masked and unmasked performers in isolation and the discreet aesthetics, agility and acrobatic rhythms of the performers, essentially seducing and engaging the audience to participate.
The common thread running through the exhibition is the way the arresting collection of works draws the viewer into the dualities of masked and unmasked, individual and community, work and play and the way the objects and scenes take on more significance beyond their literal appearance.
The images were taken with the permission of the local people and community organisations. Leslie Genda and Mata Nataal are committed to giving a percentage of the sales of these photographs to good causes in the communities of where the images resonate.
About the Artists
Leslie Genda (b.1979, Sierra Leone) moved to the UK in 1991. He graduated from the University of Leeds and has been practising photography for over seven years. His Fine Art photography focuses on depicting the authenticity of every day scenes, predominately in remote parts of Africa. He is fascinated by the individual elements that make up an activity, which he enjoys capturing, rather than the final outcome of a process. Genda has participated in two major solo exhibitions in Sierra Leone and one in the UK. His works sits in the private collection of the president of Rwanda and Sierra Leone and a football player of a premiership football club in London. Genda lives and works in the UK.
Mathurin Biagui Nataran (b.1982, Senegal) aka Mata NATAAL, means “he who is worth taking” in Wolof. He gained his nick name, as a result of his passion of experimenting in photography from a very young age and working in the dark room. He started his professional photography career as an event’s photographer of private and public functions, where he gained popularity in his vicinity for his high quality images and expertise. He turned his hands to fine art photography four years ago. He is passionate about working in the natural environment, capturing the innocence of the young, women in sports, street photography, landscapes and scenes of cultural relevance. Mata Nataal, joined the prestigious Sunu Nataal, a Dakar based collective bringing together amateur and professional photographers, who capture the hustle and bustle of Dakar. He gives back to his community by teaching street kids photography to give them hope for the future. Nataal’s recent exhibitions includes an exhibition of his photographs at Theodor Monod(IFAN) – Museum of African Art, one of the oldest museums in West Africa and the reputable Dakar Biennale in 2016. Nataal, lives and works in Dakar, Senegal.
The Preview Evening is Thur. 25th Aug 6 – 9pm. Click here to RSVP for preview and Exhibition
Drinks & Nibbles provided for your enjoyment.
The exhibition continues Fri 26th & Sat 27th Aug 11am – 7pm.
Location: JonaQuestArt Gallery 36 Greenwich Church St. London SE10 9BL
