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Masela Nkolo is a Congolese-born artist based in Atlanta, whose multidisciplinary practice spans installation, sculpture, textiles, and performance. By reclaiming discarded materials such as oil lanterns, screwdrivers, and doors Nkolo creates totemic figures that reflect his personal experiences, offering a syncretic reinterpretation of Classic African art.
Nkolo’s work not only tells the story of his own journey but also serves as a powerful advocate for peace, social justice, and healing. His creations foster dialogue on themes of resilience, cultural memory, and the enduring human spirit. Through his art, Nkolo invites audiences to engage with these themes, encouraging connections that transcend boundaries and promote understanding.
Nkolo holds a degree in Fine Arts with a focus on large-scale sculpture from the Academy of Fine Arts. His work has been exhibited at prominent venues such as Johnson Lowe Gallery (GA), Agora Gallery (NY), Atlanta Contemporary, The Path Museum, MOCA GA, and The Mint Museum (NC).
Statement
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My creative journey is deeply rooted in the experiences shaped by the Congo Civil War. Growing up amidst power shortages, I often repaired oil lanterns for my community, simple yet essential objects that became a profound source of artistic inspiration. As I collected discarded lanterns and other everyday materials, I began to transform them into symbolic creatures that convey complex human experiences and narratives. These works serve as both personal reflections and a broader exploration of identity, culture, and memory.
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My recent work focuses on reimagining everyday objects such as oil lanterns, doors, cabinet doors, screwdrivers, and other found materials. Through a process of deconstruction and reconstruction, I transform these objects into creatures that embody both the historical and contemporary identities of Congo, my motherland. These creatures represent not only my personal memories but also the collective spirit of my people, offering a means of relearning and celebrating our shared cultural heritage.
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A significant aspect of my practice is the incorporation of screwdrivers, inspired by the Congolese tradition of Bibaaku. In this practice, nails or metal pieces are inserted into a Nkisi, a sacred spirit figure used to bind agreements, protect against harm, and ward off malevolent forces. The number of nails indicates how many times the sculpture has been ritually activated, imbuing it with power and meaning.
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As a child, I used screwdrivers for protection during the rise of kuluna (banditry) in my city, which detached these tools from their original function as instruments of defense. In my art, I repurpose these screwdrivers as symbols of transformation. Just as nails are added to a Nkisi to activate its power, the welded screwdrivers on my sculptures symbolize the positive activation of my work. This process transforms symbols of violence into elements of healing, protection, and community resilience.
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My ultimate ambition is to catalyze meaningful change within communities through my art. I seek to provoke reflection, spark dialogue, and inspire solutions through creative expression, artistic creation, and performance. Through my work, I aim to foster a deeper connection to identity, history, and cultural resilience, empowering individuals to reclaim their narratives, celebrate their heritage, and embrace the strength within their own stories.
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