Beau Disundi Nzazi, born in 1993 in Kinshasa, DRC, is an artist whose creative journey spans his homeland and Brussels, Belgium. His work explores the intersections of history, economics, and cultural impact, focusing particularly on the symbolic significance of codfish.

Nzazi’s educational background reflects his dedication to the arts. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture and a Master of Fine Arts from the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa. He furthered his studies with a Bachelor of Arts from the Ecole Supérieure d’Art de Dunkerque in France and a Master of Fine Arts at ENSAV La Cambre in Brussels.

Central to Nzazi’s art is the historical narrative of codfish, examining its role in global trade and economic expansion during the rise of capitalism. He traces the journey of codfish from its introduction to the Kongo Kingdom by the Portuguese to its commercialization and impact on Western economies.

Nzazi employs a variety of mediums, including sculpture, drawing, installation, weaving, and engraving. He uses codfish both as a physical element and a metaphor, incorporating its symbolism into his explorations of economic transitions and cultural exchange. Notably, he experiments with codfish cardboard, a material commonly used in Kinshasa, to create intricate engravings and sculptures. He also utilizes woodcutting and silkscreen printing techniques to explore themes of binary opposition and troubled identity.

Through his art, Nzazi conveys the complex interplay between personal identity, historical events, and global dynamics. His work reflects on the experiences of individuals navigating the tensions between acculturation and alienation. By materializing these connections, Nzazi invites viewers to contemplate the nuanced facets of cultural identity and historical legacy