Tusevo Landu (b.1997. Kinshasa. DRC) studied at the Artist Proof Studio but later went on to become a self-taught painter. Landu's practice encompasses acrylic painting, print-making, drawing, and various mixed media, reflecting his desire to explore the diverse facets of human expression.

Landu, like many of his Black contemporaries, faces the daily reality of injustice and discrimination. Instead of following a traditional political route to combat these injustices, he has turned to culture and the power of artistic expression to envision and advocate for an alternative to an oppressive reality. In alignment with the Afro-futurist movement, Landu sees his art as a significant social event in the contemporary world. His mission is to breathe life and fullness into the void that often characterises the construction, perception, and economy of Black life, with the ultimate aim of restoring a profound sense of pride to Black bodies.

Landu's experiences as a Congolese artist living in South Africa have been a driving force in shaping his artistic practice. He employs traditional African masks, typically used in Congolese coming-of-age ceremonies, as symbols of the enigmatic nature of his chosen subjects. Through his work, Landu explores how such cultural events can profoundly affect one's life, based on their appearance, bridging the gap between the ancestral and the contemporary.

Tusevo's work is printed with archival inks on Fine Art Paper with a matte finish.

Image courtesy of the artist. Cr. Mia Thom