Galleries and Museums

An art gallery in the poto-poto school of painting

The Brazzaville Museum, part of whose collection was looted during a period of violence in the country, is working hard to rehabilitate its collection. Nevertheless, the greatest collection of modern art can be found at the Poto-Poto painting school. There you will find gouaches and pastels of the high quality. Such fine art can also be found at the Dispatches gallery in Brazzaville located in the Plateau Market downtown. The many sculptures and statues around Brazzaville serve as testimony to the Congolese’s’ persistent interest in the use of plastic for art.

THE PIERRE SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA MEMORIAL

An immense modern architectural piece in the Congolese capital Brazzaville, the Pierre Savorgnan De Brazza Memorial stands out as a charming monument at the heart of the town. It was inaugurated on the 3 October 2006 by the President Republic, Denis SASSOU N’GUESSO who, on this occasion was surrounded by his counterparts from Gabon, Omar BONGO ONDIMBA and from Central African Republic François BOZIZE at the time.

It is a highly charming and imposing edifice bearing the memory of an important stage in the modern history of Congo Brazzaville and of Central Africa. Overlooking the Pool Malébo, this architectural masterpiece now has its place among monuments characteristic of modern big cities. The monument has a show room used for meetings and discussions, a 15-metre fresco, articles on the Poto-Poto school, a constant exhibition on the life and works of Savorgnan De Brazza ; a space for discussion and debates and temporary exhibition of paintings and tiles.

Contact
Av Amilcar Cabral (place hotel de ville brazzaville)
B.P: 1761
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Fax: +242 222 814 516
Tel.: +242 222 814 516 / +242 05 095 1925 / +242 06 657 8379

Opening hours
Monday - Sunday: 10am to 11pm

THE CONGO BASIN GALLERY MUSEUM

Founded in 2008 by the Dépêches de Brazzaville (first press group of Central Africa), the Congo Basin Gallery Museum is a medium for creation and expression open to the past and present world. Masks, statues, lances and knives, coins and clothing (touching testimonies of culture, beliefs and ancestral rites) lie side by side with masterpieces of the famous Poto-Poto School of Painting, models, drawings and frames of Marcel Gotène, Rémy mongo Etsion, Bill kouelany, Rhode Bath, Schéba Makoumbou, Eliezer Dinga, Pierre Claver Ngampio, Sylvestre Mangouanza, Jacques Iloki…..

Over the years, from its research and meetings, the Congo Basin Gallery Museum has a plethora of its collections (masks and statues, lances and knives, pipes, coins and clothing) which it presents all the time to the public. The Museum strives to rekindle the memory of the elders and their know-how and traditions in the minds of the younger generation.

Contact
84 Boulevard Denis Sassou N’Guesso
Immeuble les Manguiers (MPILA)
Within the premises of Dépêches de Brazzaville
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

URL: www.lagaleriecongo.com
Email: galerie.congo@orange.fr

Opening hours
Monday - Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm

POTO-POTO PAINTING SCHOOL

Created in 1951 during the pre-colonial era by the French Pierre LODS, the Poto – Poto Painting School is located in the heart of Brazzaville. The school is made of artist-painters and student painters operating within a cooperative presided by Pierre Claver Gampio. Having adopted a naturalist, impressionist and abstract style, the works of this school reflects daily life in the village, city, market and forest. Meanwhile, some artists propose paintings with a social message (democracy, prostitution, etc.). These lovers of art easily use natural pigments such as clay, charcoal, camwood, resin etc. which gives some originality to the paintings. The paintings always bear the initials PPP (Poto-Poto Painter). Also found in this beautiful school are painters of international renown such as Marcel Gotene, François Thango, François Iloki, Philippe Ouassa, Joseph Dimi, Nicolas Ondongo, Albert Bandila "the gendarme" Jacques Zigoma and Eugène Malonga. This school whose history is closely related to that of Congo is a precious cultural heritage that should be jealously guarded.

Contact
105 rue mayama, moungalli
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Tel: +242 06 662 5942 / +242 05 556 7961
Email: mossart@yahoo.fr

Opening hours
Monday - Sunday: 8.30am to 6pm

THE GALERIE KONONGO

Specialised in wood carving, the Galerie Konongo operates a workshop managed by one of Congo’s first carvers, the artists Konongo supported by his sons involved in the same trade. Founded in 1960, the Galerie Konongo has been greatly transformed both in the progress it has made so far and in the quality of its work of art, lending it a high artistic dimension. The "Konongo" carvings are the symbol of a tradition and genius handed over from generation to generation; it is quality trade mark. Like every creative work, carvings bearing the “Konongo” label have been selling abroad for over three decades and have also gone round the world. The gallery is one of its kind by virtue of its works of art and the traditional and contemporary carvings crafted with artistic finesse. The beauty of its exhibitions is a source of attraction for thousands of admirers.

Contact
Rond Point Bifouiti, Makélékélé
PO BOX 1409
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Tel.: +242 06 628 1422 /+242 05 530 2961 /+242 04 448 9290

Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday: 7am - 5.30pm
Sunday: 7am - 1pm

THE AN'CASE GALLERY

Situated in the heart of Brazzaville for over sixteen years, it is at 241 Avenue Charles de Gaulle that collectors and amateurs of works of art meet to live their passion. A real blend of culture at the hub of creations and works of Congolese artists from Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the An’Case gallery is a centre for convivial discussions and discovery for artists and visitors.

The artistic specifications presented varies according the experience and influence of designers. Hence one can find the abstract, figurative and collage styles. Ingredients used are mostly elements found in the artist’s environment and so our artists work with acrylic paints and tubes to come up with different designs. One can also find great classical African works of art like the Bantu masks and raffia cloth. The proprietor, Madame Annie LEBOUVIER, would be pleased to welcome you in her canvass garden, in order to make you discover, with the eyes of an expert, the best that Congo can offer in terms of modern arts.

Contact
241 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Plateau-ville
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Tel.: +242 06 672 3753
Email: nkozyjohnson@gmail.com

Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 6.30pm