“The story begins now”: Marc Bauer presents Résilience at Congo Biennale

– Written by Denzel Nyathi

Given our very recent history of isolationism, as a human society, there seems to be an appreciation for cultural exchange more than ever. Considering even older histories of struggle, discrimination and constitutional battles, there is a deep necessity for the culture – at this moment – to experience a kind of upheaval. At the meeting point of dark histories and excitement for the future was Marc Bauer’s work (Résilience) at the second Congo Biennale.

“[Painting] and drawing are a way for me, and by extension for the viewer, to understand reality, in all its complexity – subjectively, politically, symbolically,” says Bauer about his work. “It also allows me to show how history, memory and changing power structures influence the present moment.”

For Résilience, Marc Bauer took a deep dive into the politics, history and memories of the LGBTQI+ community of the DRC. He did this by taking a research trip earlier this year to the bustling capital city of Kinshasa in March of this year. Over his trip, he visited Kin ArtStudio, which would be hosting the works of international artists for the Biennale. It would later be on one of the large walls of Kin ArtStudio that Bauer would produce the large-scale, text-based drawing that is Résilience.