African Beauty Painting

Born in Democratic Republic of Congo, Tony Luza received his formal art training in his native homeland Kinshasa. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kinshasa Institute of Fine Art(Academy des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa), and a few years later earned a Masters in Fine Art. Ntona Luzayis Djesquin is best known for his color and mask installations, Graphic design and paintings which he intricately embroiders with Mask or images that speak to aspects African women's Beauty, desire and happiness--often in ways that subtly expose the contradictions inherent in religious and feminist forms of extremism. The very act of stitching cloth reflects the artists play with popular understandings about feminine beauty, gender stereotypes and empowerment. Luza's work has been shown in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. He currently lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. He Co owns a graphic design company Flash designs Projects (Pty) Ltd where most of his graphic design work is showcased.