L’Hypocrisie (Hypocrisy)

Kelly-Nzeza, artist

born 1988

L’Hypocrisie (Hypocrisy), 2012

Where object was made: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Material/technique: canvas; paint

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 36.19 x 46.35 cm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 14 1/4 x 18 1/4 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: R. Charles and Mary Margaret Clevenger Art Acquisition Fund

Accession number: 2013.0061

Not on display

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Label texts

Debut

In this painting artist Kelly-N presents a commentary on the sexist contradictions that women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must endure to lead “respectable” lives. The artist draws focus to the center of the figure, who is split vertically to expose the two lives she leads to support herself. On the left, a woman in a domestic dress prepares food in a clean home with tidy curtains. The scene on the right displays the same woman in a loud, sexual atmosphere as disco lights cascade onto the stage where she stands in a see-through dress. The money she holds suggests her need to perform and provide. The painting’s title, L’Hypocrisie (Hypocrisy), is displayed on the nightlife side of the work, suggests the artist’s opinion of the situation.

Debut