A painting of a Black man with a full beard wears a textured, light-coloured cap and a large, pleated white ruff collar, by Georges Senga. His expression is serious, and he stands against a stormy sky with a hint of ocean in the background, giving a historical portrait feel.

Georges Senga Open Studio

Artist-in-residence Georges Senga hosts an Open Studio presenting research and works-in-progress developed during his three-month residency at Studio Voltaire.

During his residency, Senga has been researching the British Museum’s collection of finely woven Malagasy Lamba textiles, drawing connections with his ongoing photographic documentation of Kushiripa, an ephemeral mural painting culture created by Lamba women in the Makwacha village of his native Katanga province. 

Senga’s work serves as a form of reclamation, addressing the absence of visual documentation for people and places that have been obscured by the passage of time. Through his practice, he develops narratives rooted in history, memory, identity and heritage.

The artist will be present to share insights into his process and discuss the ideas behind his work.

Senga's residency is generously supported by The Defise Foundation.

  1. Georges Senga (b.1983, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)), works between Lubumbashi, Maastricht in the Netherlands and Hvar in Croatia and is currently based in the Netherlands.

    Senga has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions including United Nations, United States, 2020; Jean Cocteau Cultural Centre, Paris, France, 2020; Lubumbashi Biennale, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2019, 2015, 2013, 2010, 2008; Fotomuseum Antwerp, Belgium, 2019; Cargo in Context, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2019; Galerie Imane Farès, Paris, France, 2019; Wiels Art Centre, Brussels, Belgium, 2019; Fondation A, Brussels, Belgium, 2019; Kigali Photo Fest, Rwanda, 2019; Contour Biennale, Mechelen, Belgium, 2019; 22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil, São Paulo, Brazil, 2019; Addis Fotofest, Ethiopia, 2018, 2014; Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, South Africa, 2018; Bamako Biennale, Mali, 2017, 2015, 2011; Kampala Biennale, Uganda, 2014; and Asbl Dialogues, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2013.

    Previous residencies have included: Villa Medici, Italy, 2020; Jan van Eyck Academy, The Netherlands, 2018; Akademie Schloss Solitude, Stuttgart, Germany, 2016; and WIELS, Belgium, Brussels, 2015.

    1. Georges Senga, Makuta Njo Dunia, Portrait of Afonso Son of Garcia II before he was captured in Soyo by Daniel da Silva Ruler of Soyo from the House of Kwilu, 1645, 2025. Image courtesy of the artist.
    2. Georges Senga, Makuta Njo Dunia, Portrait of Afonso Son of Garcia II before he was captured in Soyo by Daniel da Silva Ruler of Soyo from the House of Kwilu, 2025. Image courtesy of the artist.