MARCHING TO THE BEAT
BLACK LOVE BODIES SERIES
By Lio Bumba
Published Issue 079, July 2020
Lio Bumba (BUMBAKiNi) is a self-taught artist who brings a global view to the Denver art scene. Of Congolese descent, he boldly envisions the modern American experience from a black man’s perspective in swaths of folkloric imagery inspired by his African descent, European upbringing, and the decade he’s now spent based out of Colorado. His works range between paintings, drawings, mixed-media; to digital and performative art installations.
ABOUT HIS CURRENT WORK:
The featured work, Marching to the beat, is part of the greater body of work I have designated as Black Love Bodies. My aim with this series is to broaden and vary how black bodies are depicted and viewed within the conversation of visual arts. I am deconstructing and reconstructing seemingly silhouetted black bodies in both grotesque and aesthetically — pleasing forms in the hopes that this sparks an inner-monologue with the viewer about their own ideas surrounding the “Black Body.”
UPCOMING SHOWS/EVENT:
I will be participating in a group show, Human: What Defines Us — a celebration of being — curated by Alycia Ann and Scott Young at the new Onward Gallery space in Denver’s RiNo Art District (2719 Larimer Street) opening July 3 and running through September 7. The narrative is built around our optimistic artistic response to not only the current isolation matters that have occurred during the pandemic, but also the amplification of our need for social change. The show will bring together 12+ artists with drastically varying mediums and styles to create a cohesive look at what defines being “human” in our current times. Scott Young will also be contributing neon work in the show as well as a couple of neon collaborations with artists.
I’m also the featured artist at The Economist in Capitol Hill (1578 N. Humboldt Street) starting on July 8 and running through August, with 8-12 works on display including Marching to the beat, which will move from its current location in Civic Park.
You can find out more about my works, submit questions, and inquire via the channels below:
Website: www.museebumba.com
Instagram: @LioBumba
Email: art.bumbakini@gmail.com