— Artist

Sebastiao Coana

Mozambique

My art practice topics explores identity, memory, belonging, and the existing relationship between people, space, and African culture. Rooted in Mozambique, I draw inspiration from everyday life, ancestral knowledge, landscapes, and the emotional experiences that connect me to my environment. I use colour, abstract texture, sometimes figures, and layered colors to create works that imitate natural effects, in different sizes. I am interested in historical celebrations, and poetry. My work therefore becomes a space where past and present meet, allowing forgotten memories and lived experiences to be reimagined through a contemporary visual language. Beyond the studio, I see art as a tool for dialogue and social connection. Through educative murals, public art, exhibitions, and collaborations, I seek to bring art closer to communities and create opportunities for cultural exchange. My ongoing goal is to contribute as an example to a contemporary African art narrative that is authentic, internationally relevant, and deeply connected to the histories, emotions, and aspirations of the people and places that inspire me.