Cristiano Mangovo Angola, b. 1982

Overview
Cristiano Mangovo grew up as a refugee in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spent most of his professional career in Angola's turbulent society. As a result, the Angolan phrase "Winkeba e Nkeba bu Nkaka" ("Protect yourselves and protect others too") has naturally become the central theme of his artwork. With a strong activist slant, his work often appeals to the need to protect weaker people from the stronger, calling for more balanced societies with improved human conditions for all. 
 
Mangovo developed various styles and symbolisms over the years, but always with a distinct surrealist twist. His work has also been dominated by an expressionistic style, characterised by the deformed characters without a complete real-life form that dominates in his paintings and collages. 
 
Mangovo holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Kinshasa (DRC), having additional urban scenography and performance training. He received early recognition for his work, earning his first solo show in 2013 by the Foundation of Art and Culture in Luanda, which toured Art BAI. In 2014, he was awarded the Mirella Antognoli Prize by the Italian Embassy and Alliance Française, as well as the prestigious Angolan ENSA Art Prize in 2018. Since then, he has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions worldwide. In 2017, his work was recognized in his home country with a solo retrospective exhibition and installation “Riches of Africa”.
 
Works
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Africa + China by day #1, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Africa + China by day #1, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Africa + China by day #10, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Africa + China by day #10, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Africa + China by day #3, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Africa + China by day #3, 2022
    Acrylic on Canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Africa + China by day #5, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Africa + China by day #5, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Africa + China by day #6, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Africa + China by day #6, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Africa + China by day #7, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Africa + China by day #7, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Africa + China by day #9, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Africa + China by day #9, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Conquistador #2, 2023
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Conquistador #2, 2023
    Mixed media on rice bag
    120 x 70 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Conquistador #3, 2023
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Conquistador #3, 2023
    Mixed media on rice bag
    120 x 70 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Open your eyes I, 2023
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Open your eyes I, 2023
    Acrylic on canvas
    80 x 100 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Open your eyes II, 2023
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Open your eyes II, 2023
    Acrylic on canvas
    80 x 100 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Os Asfaltados #1, 2020
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Os Asfaltados #1, 2020
    Acrylic on canvas
    140 x 186 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Os Asfaltados #2, 2020
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Os Asfaltados #2, 2020
    Acrylic on canvas
    140 x 185 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Os Asfaltados #3, 2020
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Os Asfaltados #3, 2020
    Acrylic on canvas
    185 x 139 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Os Asfaltados #4, 2020
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Os Asfaltados #4, 2020
    Acrylic on canvas
    185 x 139 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Os Asfaltados #5, 2020
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Os Asfaltados #5, 2020
    Acrylic on canvas
    139 x 185 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Papa Sese 1, 2023
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Papa Sese 1, 2023
    Acrylic on canvas
    167 x 213 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Raízes ou Civilização? / Roots or Civilisation?, 2023
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Raízes ou Civilização? / Roots or Civilisation?, 2023
    Acrylic on canvas
    184 x 113 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Series: Money Fight #2, 2022
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Series: Money Fight #2, 2022
    Marker on paper
    70 x 50 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Series: Money Fight #5, 2021
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Series: Money Fight #5, 2021
    Marker on paper
    70 x 50 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Series: Money Fight #6, 2021
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Series: Money Fight #6, 2021
    Marker on paper
    70 x 50 cm
  • Cristiano Mangovo, Series: Money Fight #7, 2021
    Cristiano Mangovo
    Series: Money Fight #7, 2021
    Marker on paper
    70 x 50 cm
Exhibitions
Art Fairs
Press
Video
Publications
Events