Ingrid Mwangi

Kenya
1975
Ingrid Mwangi is known for her mixed-media installations, sculptures, and videos. She explores themes of identity, race, and culture in her work, often using her own body as a subject.

Ingrid Mwangi is a Kenyan-born artist whose work often explores themes of identity, body, and cultural heritage. Her piece in the "Africa Remix" exhibition is titled "Neger Don’t Call Me" (1999), a powerful work that confronts the viewer with issues of racial stereotyping and the external perception of black bodies. The artwork is a photograph featuring Mwangi herself, with words written across her skin, directly engaging with the derogatory term "Neger" (negro in German). This self-portrait challenges and questions the viewer’s perceptions and prejudices, inviting a deeper reflection on the language and attitudes surrounding race.

Mwangi’s art is characterized by its use of her own body as a canvas and medium to address and question societal norms, prejudices, and the historical context of racial discrimination. Through "Neger Don’t Call Me", she not only presents her body as the subject of the artwork but also as a site of resistance and a source of narrative power. The piece is confrontational in its approach, forcing the audience to engage with the uncomfortable realities of racial terminology and its impact.

This artwork is significant in the context of "Africa Remix" as it exemplifies the exhibition's aim to showcase a diverse range of artistic expressions from Africa and the African diaspora. Mwangi’s work stands out for its bold engagement with social issues, contributing to the broader dialogue on identity, race, and the representation of African bodies in contemporary art.

Ingrid Mwangi’s contribution to "Africa Remix" underlines the exhibition’s focus on contemporary African art as a vibrant and critical force in the global art scene. Her work, along with others in the exhibition, challenges stereotypes and opens up new spaces for dialogue and understanding regarding African identity and its representation in the modern world.

Artworks