Vasco Manhiça

Vasco Manhiça BORN IN 1978 IN NAMPULA IN THE NORHT OF MOZAMBIQUE AND GREW UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF MAPUTO CITY. Vasco Manhiça graduated in 1998 in Graphic Design (Middle-level) from the National School of Visual Arts in Maputo. His paintings and drawings are charaterized by the use of stain, warm colored pigments, pastels and acrylics on canvas or on paper. He applies child-like marks to give life to figures and words reminicent of those scratched on walls in the neighborhoods of Maputo. He uses his work as a medium for raising debate through questioning, commenting and critiquing ideologies that play an influential role in the (mis)understanding of the past and present history and its consequences in today´s social, political and cultural life in his home country Mozambique, in Africa, as well as in its diaspora. Manhiça has participated in group exhibitions, workshops and artists residency programs in Mozambique, Portugal, Germany, South Africa and in Senegal and Nigeria since 1995. He has also presented 4 solo exhibitions throughout his career. He has received national awards in Mozambique including the 1st prize in the «TDM Biennale (Mozambique Telecom)» in 1999 and 2nd Prize in the «MUSART Annual (National Museum of Art)» in 1998, both in the drawing category. His work is represented in the National Museum of Art in Maputo, in the TDM (Mozambique Telecom) Museum in Maputo, in the collection of the presidencial palace in Mozambique, and in several private collections in Mozambique, Portugal, Germany, France, Holland, South Africa, Brasil and the USA. Lives and works in Germany and in Mozambique. SOLO EXHIBITIONS: 2015: «Point of view» – Portuguese Cultural Center – Maputo, Mozambique 2013: «The Black Box» – CCFM (Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre) – Maputo, Mozambique. 2009: «Pip-Pam-Pum» – Stadthaus Lechenich Gallery – Erftstadt, Germany. 2007: «Between Worlds» – KIR Gallery – Oberhausen, Germany. GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected): 2016: «Art Specimen 5» – Arte d'Gema Gallery, Maputo, Moçambique 2015: «Movements» – ICCD (International Center for Creative Development) – Abuja, Nigeria. 2014: «Dear Dakar – Letters from Dakar» (sound installation) – ÀSÌKÒ - International Arts School Residency (Center of Contemporary Art - CCA, Lagos) – Off DAK´ARt Bienalle 2014 – Dakar, Senegal. 2013: «Artists of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries)» – Casino Estoril Gallery – Lisbon, Portugal. 2013: «The Sowetan artists residency» (cooperating with the south african artist Ayanda Mabulu) – Soweto-Johannesburg, South Africa. 2012: «Thupelo workshop» – Bag Factory Artists Studios - Johannesburg, South Africa. 2009—2011: Various group exhibitions – KIR Gallery – Oberhausen, Germany. 2008: «Dialogue» – cooperating with the german artist Katja Fließ – KIR Gallery – Oberhausen. 2007: «Ohne abstand» – cooperating with the german artists Claudia Seider and Thorsten Poersch – Gallerie Im Luisenhof – Bochum, Germany. 2006: «Reality and Utopia» – cooperating with the german artist Thorsten Peorsch – Gallery KIR. 2006: «Roads Linking Cultures» an international encounter – Wissenschaftspark – Gelsenkirchen, Germany. 2001: «Biennalle of Young Artists from the CPLP» – Porto, Portugal. 2001: «TDM Biennalle (Mozambique Telecom)» – National Museum of Art – Maputo. 2000: «Melody» – cooperating with the mozambican artist Sergio Mutlabye – CCFM (Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre) – Maputo, Mozambique. 1999: «TDM Biennalle» – National Museum of Art – Maputo, Mozambique. 1998: «MUSART Annual» (National Museum of Art) – Maputo, Mozambique. 1997: «Arte Feliz» mozambican movement of contemporary art – CCFM – Maputo, Mozambique. 1995: «Descobertas (Discoveries)» Young talents annual exibition – Fort of Maputo, Mozambique. WORKSHOPS AND ARTISTS RESIDENCIES (selected): 2015: : «ICCD artists in residence» – International Institute for Creative Development, Abuja, including an “Artist talk” at the CCA, Lagos (Center for Contemporary Art), Nigeria. 2014: «ÀSÌKÒ - International Arts School Residency» (a Center of Contemporary Art, Lagos project) – Off DAK´ARt Bienalle 2014 – Dakar, Senegal. 2012 (Nov)—2013 (Jan): «The Sowetan artists residency» – artists residency, alongside the south african artist Ayanda Mabulu – Soweto-Johannesburg, South Africa. 2012: «Thupelo Workshop» - Bag Factory Artists Studios – Johannesburg, South Africa. 2006—2010: «Kunsthaus Haven Artists Studios» – resident artist – Oberhausen, Germany. 2001: «Drawing & Sculpture Workshop» - Biennalle of Young Artists of the CPLP) – Porto, Portugal. 1999: «Identity» – Portugal-Mozambique cultural exchange – Inhambane / Maputo, Mozambique. AWARDS: 1999: 1st Prize (drawing) – «TDM Biennalle» (Mozambique Telecom) – Mozambique. 1998: 2nd Prize (drawing) – «MUSART Annual» (National Museum of Art) – Mozambique. 1995: Honorable mention (painting) – «Descobertas» (Casa da Cultura de Maputo) – Mozambique.