VOA慢速英语2018--刚果艺术家们为获得认可而奋斗

Congo’s Artists Struggle for Recognition¹

The arts world in the Democratic² Republic of Congo (DRC) is very active. But talented local artists still struggle for international recognition.

One of those artists is 26-year-old Eddy³ Kamuanga Ilunga. Kamuanga says Congo's cultural and mineral wealth has influenced his artistry. He says another influence is his country’s painful colonial⁴ history.

His paintings have been shown in South Africa, Europe and the United States. One of his pieces can sell for as much as $30,000 at an international auction⁵. That makes him one of Congo’s highest paid artists.

But art industry experts say his work only gets average prices when compared to artists worldwide.

Kamuanga says African artists are thought of differently in the arts world. He adds, “I think it is a struggle for many artists in Africa to get the same recognition.”

Another artist, Freddy Tsimba, says one problem is the lack of support in DRC. Tsimba creates sculptures. His works⁶ are shown internationally, but get little attention in his home country.

Congolese artist Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo has shown his art work and lived around the world. But he returned home to Congo to work at a recently established studio for young Congolese artists.

"I say, OK, it is good for me to stay here, why? Because we need to build [the] art scene and to make something, since the people can buy artwork in Congo. And now, people are starting to buy, (but it) is a big process, it is a big challenge."

Currently⁷, the studio has two women artists. One of them is Dina Ekanga.

She says it is not easy being both a woman and an artist because the men push you around from all sides. She adds that the art scene is rather difficult, especially in Congo.

Younger artists, like painter Romario Lukau, also say they struggle to establish themselves. Lukau is one of four young painters who are trying to find success as artists. They sell their paintings for about $1,000 each.

Lukau says his biggest dream is for people to talk about Congolese art the way we talk about American, German or Belgian art. He and other Congolese artists say they are hopeful that dream will come true one day soon.

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Words in This Story

studio – n. a place where people go to learn, train, or study art

talented – adj. having a special ability to do something well

challenge – n. a problem; a competition

scene – n. the place of an action or event

auction – n. a sale of an object to the person or group willing to pay the most money

1 recognition   

n.承认，认可，认出，认识

参考例句：

• The place has changed beyond recognition.这地方变得认不出来了。
• A sudden smile of recognition flashed across his face.他脸上掠过一丝笑意，表示认识对方。

2 democratic   

adj.民主的；民主主义的，有民主精神的

参考例句：

• Their country has democratic government.他们国家实行民主政体。
• He has a democratic work-style.他作风民主。

3 eddy   

n.漩涡，涡流

参考例句：

• The motor car disappeared in eddy of dust.汽车在一片扬尘的涡流中不见了。
• In Taylor's picture,the eddy is the basic element of turbulence.在泰勒的描述里，旋涡是湍流的基本要素。

4 colonial   

adj.殖民地的，关于殖民的；n.殖民地，居民

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• The people of Africa have successfully fought against colonial rule.非洲人民成功地反抗了殖民统治。

5 auction   

n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖

参考例句：

• They've put the contents of their house up for auction.他们把房子里的东西全都拿去拍卖了。
• They bought a new minibus with the proceeds from the auction.他们用拍卖得来的钱买了一辆新面包车。

6 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

7 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。