Edson Chagas

Angolan photographer reshaping contemporary African visual narratives

Born in 1977 in Luanda, Edson Chagas became the first African artist to win the Golden Lion at Venice Biennale (2013). His Found Not Taken series redefined post-colonial African identity through:

• Photographing discarded objects in Luanda's streets
• Creating monumental installations from everyday detritus
• Challenging Western perceptions of African art

Chagas' work addresses:

• Urban transformation in post-war Angola
• Consumerism in resource-rich nations
• Cultural memory preservation

His innovative 'photo-object' concept combines photography with sculpture, exhibited in MoMA and Tate Modern. Beyond galleries, Chagas:

• Curates Luanda's first public art biennale
• Mentors young Angolan artists
• Documents disappearing architectural heritage

Through provocative juxtapositions, he questions global capitalism's impact on local cultures while establishing new visual languages for African contemporary art.