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Coco MobuliFrenzied Pace Oil on Canvas 39” x 39” Le Mystère Oil on Canvas 39” x 39”The work of African artist Coco Mobuli is both idealistic and deeply spiritual,a symbiosis between his own personality and that of the artistic universe.Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mobuli combinesidealism, realism, and impressionism to create vivid, striking images that gobeyond figural rendering to something much more fundamental. Indeed, thiswork is inspired not only by the artist’s African roots but by current issues andthe daily lives of those around him. Underscoring this as well is a desire to giveback to his Congolese heritage by building a sense of community and providinga genuine artistic expression that his people can look to.In terms of composition, Mobuli’s pieces are firmly rooted in solid lines, shapes,and colors, which are then muted and blurred to create the dynamism that is ahallmark of his work. He chooses his colors quite specifically, imbuing them withmeanings that transcend simple visual congruity. Warm tones signify dynamismand vitality; tan, stabilization; yellow, revitalization; and purple, both pride anddesire. What results are ambitious pieces that are as grounded as they areethereal, daring the viewer to take a good look at the surface expression andthen go deeper to catch a glimpse of what is, in fact, truly there.For Mobuli, many of his paintings address what he refers to as the “painter triodialogue” of God, Earth, and man. As he explains, “It is through these threeelements that communion in the world of art [is obtained].” The symbolism ofthis is reflected in the triangles that so often appear in his work, a convergenceof lines that reflects the interconnectivity of the world we live in and how this isinevitably reflected in art. He explains, “By the symbiosis of the world, I try tocreate a borderless global village to make a connection between the visual artsand the natural environment.”Coco Mobuli currently lives and works in the town of Barumbu in Kinshasa inthe Democratic Republic of Congo.www.Agora-Gallery.com/ArtistPage/Coco_Mobuli.aspxCoco in his Studio112 ARTisSpectrum