Artist's Bio

About Ndaya...

Unveiling the Brilliance of an Afrofuturist Visionary 🚀🎨

Born in vibrant Johannesburg, South Africa in 1995, Ndaya Ilunga is more than just a gifted artist; she's a dynamic force of creativity and cultural exploration. 🌍✨

Her journey into the world of art was ignited by her unique background. The daughter of Congolese refugees, Ilunga's heritage instilled in her a deep curiosity about her roots and the diverse tapestry of our world, themes that dance brilliantly through her artwork. 🌆

Nurtured by her mother, Nathalie Ilunga, a fellow artist, and frequent visits to the Bag Factory in Fordsburg, young Ilunga's artistic prowess blossomed from a tender age. She was an unstoppable force of inquisitiveness, exuding boundless energy and an infectious spirit, collecting intriguing artifacts and creating her own masterpieces by the age of seven. 🖌️🌟

Formal art education became her next chapter, and Ilunga's path led her to the prestigious University of Johannesburg, where she received a BA in Fine Arts in 2021, with a distinction in Art History. 🎓🖼️

Her artistic journey soon extended beyond the borders of her homeland. In her third year, she earned the coveted German Archdiocese exposure trip to Stuttgart, 2017. Unfortunately she couldn't go due to a backlog of documentation (Passports) at the local Jorrison Street Home Affairs and it clashing with her flight dates. Nevertheless, a transformative opportunity that ignited her passion for detailed paintings, sculptures, and prints. 🌍🎨

It was during her time in the bustling heart of Manhattan, New York, 2018 as a participant in the Ampersand Fellowship, where Ilunga began to merge and manipulate elements of Surrealism with Afrofuturism, forging her own distinctive artistic identity. 🏙️🌌

Diving headfirst into the worlds of Surrealism, Afrofuturism, and Pan Africanism, Ilunga explored the depths of Jungian psychology, Freudian theories of personality, and various psychoanalyst theories. This intensive study enabled her to grasp the intricacies of the collective human experience and weave them into her compelling narratives. 👤🌌🔬

Ilunga's art unfurls a captivating tapestry of themes, including Collective Consciousness, Blackness, Othering, Archetypes, and the myriad facets of existence. With her unique touch, she weaves humanoid figures into surreal realms, crafting visual stories that challenge our perceptions and resonate deeply with our souls. 🎭🌟

Today, Ndaya Ilunga resides and creates in her beloved Johannesburg, where she continues to push the boundaries of Afrofuturist Surrealism. Her thought-provoking artwork challenges our very understanding of reality, inviting us to ponder the boundless possibilities of the human experience. 🤔🌌🎨

Join Ilunga on her visionary journey as she unearths the secrets of existence, blending cultures and dimensions to create a vibrant tapestry of human expression. 🌠🌈 #Afrofuturism #Surrealism #ArtisticBrilliance