To mark France’s National Day, works by three young artists supported by the Leridon Grants were exhibited in the gardens of the French Residence in Kinshasa.
On July 14, during the reception held to celebrate French National Day at the French Residence in Kinshasa, three works by Manuella Alonge, Destin Ushindi, and Nathan Bushiru— laureates of the Leridon Grants—were presented to the public in the Residence’s gardens
This invitation marks a significant milestone in the careers of these young artists and fully embodies the mission of the Leridon Grants : to foster emerging artistic creation, support artists in their professional development, and facilitate their connections with key figures in the art world and cultural institutions.
Three Artists, Three Supported Careers
Manuella Alonge and Destin Ushindi are recipients of the Leridon Grants, developed in partnership with the Kinshasa Academy of Fine Arts. These fellowships aim to support young artists in their artistic practice and provide them with the necessary resources to create new works.
Nathan Bushiru, for his part, received a grant developed in partnership with the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) and the Cité internationale des arts, designed to support his artistic career and creative work.
The presentation of their works during the July 14 reception thus provided them with significant visibility in a setting that brought together numerous representatives from institutional, diplomatic, economic, cultural, and academic circles.
A Gathering with Key Figures from the Congolese and International Art Scenes
Beyond the presentation of their works, this invitation provided a unique opportunity for the artists to meet and exchange ideas with prominent figures from various backgrounds : political and institutional leaders, diplomats, business leaders, entrepreneurs, thinkers, academics, and artists from both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and abroad.
These encounters represent valuable opportunities for young artists at the beginning of their careers. They allow them to showcase their work, expand their professional networks, and create new opportunities for collaboration and the dissemination of their works.
The inclusion of works by Manuella Alonge, Destin Ushindi, and Nathan Bushiru in this context thus demonstrates the Leridon Grants’ commitment to going beyond mere support for artistic production to help integrate artists into the professional ecosystem of contemporary art.
Bringing New Voices in Contemporary Art to the Forefront
Through its various partnerships, the Leridon Grants aim to support young artists during a pivotal period in their careers by providing them with access to resources, networks, and opportunities for visibility.
The exhibition at the French Residence in Kinshasa is a fine illustration of this ambition. By enabling their works to reach an audience composed of stakeholders from various sectors, the Leridon Grants help bring new voices in contemporary art to the forefront and strengthen ties between artists, institutions, and cultural stakeholders.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Manuella Alonge, Destin Ushindi, and Nathan Bushiru for this wonderful showcase of their work and wish them every success as they continue their artistic journeys.
