Jack Kabangu was born in Lusaka, Zambia in 1996 and has family roots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He currently lives and works In Copenhagen, Denmark, where he has resided since 2005.
Kabangu examines his connection to his homeland and his status as an expatriate. He contrasts the pros and cons of both places, in addition to the external forces that have molded his identity, bridging the gap between his African roots and his immediate environment. Kabangu's artistic practice employs vibrant color palettes and dynamic lines to create abstract figures that infuse his African heritage with contemporary art. The artist draws parallels to the gestural techniques of Abstract Expressionists such as Jackson Pollock and the graffiti mark-making of Jean-Michel Basquiat, utilizing his fingers, spatulas, scrapers, and paint brushes to produce spontaneous yet distinct works. Kabangu injects playfulness into his work with bold background colors and encourages viewers to connect with their inner child. He believes the impact of an artwork is only realized in its final environment and hopes that it can carry positive feelings with it beyond its viewers’ experience.