Indigo Arts represents a collection of paintings from the influential painting workshop in Elisabethville (now Lubumbashi) in the colony of the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The workshop, L'Academie Congolaise d'Art Populaire, generally known as "Le Hangar" was founded in 1946 by the French painter and former colonial soldier, Pierre Romain-Desfossés. Several of the "le Hangar" artists, such as Bela, Pilipili Mulungoy and Mwenze Kibwanga proved very influential on the next generation of artists in the Congo, and later on other African art movements such as the Tinga Tinga painters in Tanzania. The work of several of the artists was featured in the groundbreaking 2015 exhibit Congo Beauté 1926 - 2015 Congo Kitoko, at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. The work in our collection is by two of the artists who studied under Pilipili Mulungoy - Kabinda Kunkulu Victor and Mwila. Painted in 1958 and 1959, these paintings came from the collection of the late Belgian art collector and dealer, Max Berkovitch.
The Indigo Arts website has remained active over the last year and a half despite the widespread shutdowns due to the COVID-19 virus. I have been able to resume regular operations. I am able to pack and ship most orders within a few days. Shipping times have increased during this period. The gallery is open to visitors on an appointment only basis and according to city masking regulations. Please phone or email ahead.
Note: USPS service remains very slow. I don't recommend it if you are in a hurry. Parcels sent by 2 or 3 Day Priority Mail may take several weeks to arrive. Please note also that USPS shipping estimates include little or no insurance, which we must charge separately.
Please stay safe!
