The Illuminations

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Democratic Republic of Congo

Beyond Genocide #7, completed 2007.

Insatiable exploitation of human and natural resources has been the principal driving force at work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as early as the Arab slave trader boom in the 18th century until present time. Exploration of the Congo basin in the 19th century revealed vast natural resources, as well as dozens of tribal regions with native populations who maintained rich and diverse communities.

This illumination commemorates the longstanding and contemporary suffering of the Congolese people as well as the dignified and unique artistic creativity of the various tribal regions. Horrifying testimony of institutionalized violence, for three centuries to contemporary times, infuses the emotional content of this work. The raw cry of the suffering Congolese people calls our attention to its modern crimes yet unhealed.