INTERVIEW
What changes and developments are to be noted in your work thanks to the residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Montmartre?
"The studio on the Montmartre site offers me better light, thus optimizing my work. Despite the somewhat aging aspect of the studio and the inconveniences that can go with it, the light and space it offers are precious help so that I can work in good conditions."
An anecdote about your residency at the Cité internationale des arts?
"The residency at the Cité internationale des arts allows me to be more comfortable working and more focused than I can be in my country. I am very happy here. My residence allows me to work in a quieter space and that's what I'm most satisfied with."
BIOGRAPHY
After having followed painting courses at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa, JP Mika attended ARAP, a Popular Art Research Workshop, created by the artist Chéri Chérin and with whom he perfected his technique. In 2004, he created his own workshop, which he named EBA (Événement des Beaux-Arts).
An exceptional draftsman, JP Mika has long borrowed the themes and compositions of his elders and mentor Chéri Chérin. Like Chéri Samba before him, JP Mika often stages himself, painting self-portraits or integrating into a group composition, always dressed as a Sapper. He developed his own style, centred on the portrait, simplifying his staging by using fabrics with very colourful motifs as backgrounds. This "discovery" and the unconstrained use of colour give a very positive energy to her work, which now stands out deeply from the works of her peers. His very realistic compositions, with an incredible attention to detail, tendernessly depict a modern and dynamic Africa.