Kiluanji Kia Henda — Photo © Kiluanji Kia Henda

Kiluanji Kia Henda — Photo © Kiluanji Kia Henda

Kiluanji Kia Henda

Kiluanji Kia Henda (1979, Angola) lives and works in Luanda, Angola. His multidisciplinary and conceptual work revolves around migration, colonialism, globalisation, memory and identity. He links historical references with contemporary realities, making us consider the construction of history and power.

 

Kiluanji Kia Henda’s work was already shown in institutes such as Tate Liverpool (2017); SCAD Museum in Savannah (2016); Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris (2016); National Museum of African Art - Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. (2015); Tamayo Museum in Mexico (2012); and Arnolfini in Bristol (2012). 

 

He participated in the 2015 Triennial ‘Surround Audience’ in the New Museum in New York; at the Dakar Biennale (2014); the São Paulo Art Biennial (2007); the Venice Biennale (2007); and the Luanda Triennial (2007). 

 

In 2017, he won the Frieze Artist Award and, in 2012, the National Award for Art and Culture in Angola, presented by the Ministry of Culture in Luanda.

On display at COME CLOSER

Middelheimmuseum
Kiluanji Kia Henda, While I dig into the darkness of the earth, I can see the bling of death in your eyes, 2024 © The Artist – Photo: studio pramudiya, npi

Kiluanji Kia Henda, While I dig into the darkness of the earth, I can see the bling of death in your eyes, 2024 © The Artist – Photo: studio pramudiya, npi

While I dig into the darkness of the earth, I can see the bling of death in your eyes, 2024

Performance (past)

Kiluanji Kia Henda makes architectural steel sculptures derived from sand drawings, used by the Tchokwe people in East Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He combines different forms, techniques and performers, each 'making' part of the piece. For him, the ritual making process itself is just as important as the end result. In this way, assistants and producers become the performers. 

 

  • Please do not touch
  • Duration audio: approx. 4 hours
more
Middelheimmuseum
Kiluanji Kia Henda, The Watchtower — Photo © Léonard Pongo

Kiluanji Kia Henda, The Watchtower — Photo © Léonard Pongo

The Watchtower, 2024

Sculpture with audio recording, new work

Kiluanji Kia Henda makes architectural steel sculptures derived from sand drawings, used by the Tchokwe people in East Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He combines different forms, techniques and performers, each 'making' part of the piece. For him, the ritual making process itself is just as important as the end result. In this way, assistants and producers become the performers. 

 

  • Continuous viewing
  • Please do not touch
  • Duration audio: approx. 1 hour
more
Middelheimmuseum
Kiluanji Kia Henda, The Palace of Crystal — Photo © Léonard Pongo

Kiluanji Kia Henda, The Palace of Crystal — Photo © Léonard Pongo

The Palace of Crystal, 2024

Sculpture with audio recording, new work

Kiluanji Kia Henda makes architectural steel sculptures derived from sand drawings, used by the Tchokwe people in East Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He combines different forms, techniques and performers, each 'making' part of the piece. For him, the ritual making process itself is just as important as the end result. In this way, assistants and producers become the performers. 

 

  • Continuous viewing
  • Please do not touch
  • Duration audio: approx. 1 hour
more