Hadassa Ngamba
Irony of the Artist's Jewel, 2024
24-carat gold, watercolor on paper framed in solid red copper
36 x 51 cm
14 1/8 x 20 1/8 in
14 1/8 x 20 1/8 in
In the 'Irony of the Artist’s Jewel' diptych, Hadassa Ngamba celebrates gold and copper, two strategic metals abundantly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through these joyful works, she...
In the "Irony of the Artist’s Jewel" diptych, Hadassa Ngamba celebrates gold and copper, two strategic metals abundantly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through these joyful works, she transcends the tragic history of mineral extraction and trade, which, despite promises of prosperity, resulted in immense debt and poverty. Her first name, Hadassa, meaning "star" in Hebrew, serves as the central theme of this diptych: one panel depicts a golden star in its nascent stage, while the other shows it in decomposition. This diptych acts as a poetic talisman, a "jewel memory," and a contemplation on the intertwined processes of creation and decline. Hadassa is the fourth generation in a lineage where art and craftsmanship are deeply connected. She is the granddaughter of an architect-engineer who incorporated the Star of David into his family constructions as an homage to their Jewish heritage, and the greatgranddaughter of an artist-cabinetmaker, sculptor, and draftsman.
Join our newsletter
* denotes required fields
We will process the personal data you have supplied to communicate with you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.