CATPC - gesprek | Why Plantations Matter

CATPC is an art cooperative of plantation workers from Lusanga, Democratic Republic of Congo. This year, CATPC represents the Netherlands at the Venice Biennale. The artworks – mainly sculptures made of clay and reproduced in materials from the plantation (cacao, palm oil, and sugar) – convey the pain and evil of colonialism. At the same time, they are objects of hope and recovery: with the proceeds from their art, CATPC aims to buy and restore hundreds of hectares of former plantation land for future generations. Three members of CATPC, Mbuku Kimpala, Ced’art Tamasala, and Matthieu Kasiama, are at Noorderzon to explain their work.

This performance falls under the Me in the mirror theme and you can get theme discounts. For more information, check out this page

CATPC – ‘Cercle d’Art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise’ or ‘Congolese Plantation Workers Art League’ in full  – is an art cooperative of plantation workers from Lusanga, Democratic Republic of Congo. The organization was founded in collaboration with renowned environmental activist René Ngongo in 2014. With the proceeds from their art, CATPC aims to secure hundreds of hectares of former plantation land for future generations. In the middle of this land, they have built a museum: the White Cube.