Léonard Pongo's Uncanny Vision of Congo

Léonard Pongo, a Belgian-Congolese photographer born in 1988, has been highlighted in ArtReview's Future Greats 2025, with selection by Roger Ballen. His 2023 series, 'The Uncanny,' employs black-and-white imagery, disorienting angles, and extended exposures to create a sense of strangeness from the familiar. Pongo's untitled works challenge traditional narratives, inviting viewers to engage emotionally and intuitively. Originally starting as a documentary photographer, he now blends snapshots with abstraction. His art critiques simplistic views of Congo and Africa, emphasizing vibrancy and complexity. Noteworthy pieces include a photo of cockroaches symbolizing resilience and a long-exposure figure merging with shadows. Pongo teaches at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa and is an associate researcher in Antwerp. His exhibitions are currently at Festival en Ville in Brussels (until 2 February), with upcoming displays at Festival du Jeu de Paume in Paris (7 February–23 March) and Afropolitan Festival in Brussels (27 February–2 March).