JOSEPH KANGI: A Visual Artist Reviving Heritage with the Touch of Clay and the Beauty of Ebony

Joseph Kangi, a visual artist born in 1983 in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, embodies a deep passion for art and rich ethnographic heritage in his works. His talent shines through the warm touch of clay and the beauty of ebony wood, as he uses colors to immortalize and preserve the history and culture of his community.

Upbringing and Formation: A Journey in Search of Beauty

Kangi moved through various Sudanese cities such as Al-Fashir, Wau, and Malakal during his early education, enriching his artistic vision with the diversity of local cultures. In 2009, he graduated from the Sculpture Department at the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Sudan University of Science and Technology, combining innate talent with academic knowledge.

A Rich Artistic Career: Between Clay, Colors, and the Embodiment of Memory

Kangi began his professional journey as a teaching assistant at the University of Juba, then embarked on a global artistic journey during which he participated in significant exhibitions reflecting the depth of his vision and diverse creativity. His most notable international milestones include:

• 2023: Zerfes Forum in New Jersey, USA.
• 2021: Group art exhibition in Oslo, Norway.
• 2020: Group art exhibition at a global auction in London, UK.
• 2019: Art exhibition at the Embassy of the United States in Juba.
• 2018: Zandooka Festival in Kampala, Uganda.

His experience teaching refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos in 2018, and establishing an art studio there, reflects his firm belief in the role of art in human communication and transcending barriers. He also completed graphic design courses at Optic Institute in New Delhi, India.

Recognition and Achievements: Acknowledging Talent and Commitment

Joseph Kangi has received widespread recognition for his talent, winning the Best Sculptor Award in Sudan as part of Al-Shorouk TV’s Innovators Competition in 2010. He also served as a jury member for the South Sudan Agriculture Bank logo, affirming confidence in his artistic expertise.

His diverse creations include:

• Stage Decor Design: He excelled in designing the decor for William Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline (2012) and Samani Lawal’s play Mi’saa Yarol.
• Antiquities Restoration: He participated in the restoration of antiquities at the National Museum in 2007.
• Local and International Art Exhibitions: He held an art exhibition in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in Khartoum and the National Museum in 2008, titled Description of Khartoum. He also executed a sculpture of Dr. John Garang De Mabior in Maban County in 2010 and actively participated in the Wau Cultural Festival in 2013.

Broader Local and International Artistic Presence

Kangi’s works have been exhibited in numerous prestigious internal exhibitions in Sudan. His artistic visits included world-renowned museums such as the Louvre Museum in France, Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia Basilica in Spain, the Athens Museum in Greece, the Taj Mahal in India, the Giacometti Museum in Monaco, the Archaeological Museum in Geneva, Switzerland, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna, Austria, and the MoMA in New York, USA. These visits enriched his artistic vision and provided him with renewed inspiration.

Artist’s Vision: Between the Authenticity of the Past and the Beauty of the Present

Joseph Kangi believes that art is a universal language, and that the artist is the voice of their nation and the conscience of their society. He finds an intimate sense of creation in clay, and in ebony wood, the ancient heritage and eternal beauty of the past.

Through his works, he strives to celebrate ethnographic heritage and present it in contemporary forms, believing that art is the only language for building a beautiful world, and that beautifying cities with art enriches public life and fosters a sense of belonging. His passion for antiquities restoration stems from his deep belief in the necessity of preserving collective memory and connecting generations to their roots.

Future Aspirations: Towards Broader Creative Horizons

Joseph Kangi aspires to continue his creative journey with unflagging passion, exploring more artistic techniques and concepts. He looks forward to participating in ambitious art projects that serve his vision of documenting heritage, beautifying cities, and restoring antiquities, leaving a distinctive artistic mark that inspires future generations and celebrates the beauty of the human spirit and cultural diversity.

A Rich Artistic Career: Between Clay, Colors, and the Embodiment of Memory

Kangi began his professional journey as a teaching assistant at the University of Juba, then embarked on a global artistic journey during which he participated in significant exhibitions reflecting the depth of his vision and diverse creativity. His most notable international milestones include:

• 2023: Zerfes Forum in New Jersey, USA.
• 2021: Group art exhibition in Oslo, Norway.
• 2020: Group art exhibition at a global auction in London, UK.
• 2019: Art exhibition at the Embassy of the United States in Juba.
• 2018: Zandooka Festival in Kampala, Uganda.

His experience teaching refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos in 2018, and establishing an art studio there, reflects his firm belief in the role of art in human communication and transcending barriers. He also completed graphic design courses at Optic Institute in New Delhi, India.

Recognition and Achievements: Acknowledging Talent and Commitment

Joseph Kangi has received widespread recognition for his talent, winning the Best Sculptor Award in Sudan as part of Al-Shorouk TV’s Innovators Competition in 2010. He also served as a jury member for the South Sudan Agriculture Bank logo, affirming confidence in his artistic expertise.

His diverse creations include:

• Stage Decor Design: He excelled in designing the decor for William Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline (2012) and Samani Lawal’s play Mi’saa Yarol.
• Antiquities Restoration: He participated in the restoration of antiquities at the National Museum in 2007.
• Local and International Art Exhibitions: He held an art exhibition in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in Khartoum and the National Museum in 2008, titled Description of Khartoum. He also executed a sculpture of Dr. John Garang De Mabior in Maban County in 2010 and actively participated in the Wau Cultural Festival in 2013.

• Local and International Art Exhibitions: He held an art exhibition in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in Khartoum and the National Museum in 2008, titled Description of Khartoum. He also executed a sculpture of Dr. John Garang De Mabior in Maban County in 2010 and actively participated in the Wau Cultural Festival in 2013.