The most beautiful hug you can get
‘By knowing the laws of the material universe you do not change your deeper humanity. You can borrow knowledge from others, but you cannot borrow temperament.’ This quote from the poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore sprang to mind as I immersed myself in Jota Mombaça’s practice. Their works pulse with life: they breathe, talk, whisper, weep, dance, cry out and laugh, brimming with a vibrant energy that engages our senses profoundly. Grounded in research and critical writing, Mombaça’s multidisciplinary practice addresses topics such as the impact of the Transatlantic slave trade, the climate crisis, and gender disobedience.
Jota Mombaça entered the international art world with a Master’s degree in Social Science. Starting university at the age of 17 introduced them to critical theory and the arts. ‘Before that, I had never properly considered becoming an artist. Initially, I wanted to study journalism, but once I was at university, I realised that I was more interested in the arts. I had to choose between art school and studying something that would help me develop my artistic practice. I felt the need to acqu (…)
