Nkusu FELELO (Bas-Congo, 1914 – 1995, Kinshasa, DRC) Sans titre, (l'imploration). Oil on canvas. 69 x 47 cm. Signature lower left, framed. Nkusu Felelo, one of the pioneers of modern Zairian painting, was born in 1914 in the enclave of Kabinda, Bas-Zaire. He completed his primary education at the Christian Brothers’ School in Tumba but did not pursue further studies. He began working in customs in Matadi until 1943, after which he was employed in the Information Department in Kinshasa. In 1945, a meeting with a European painter profoundly ignited his already sensed and irresistible calling to art. His natural talents quickly compensated for the deficiencies in his training. He held several exhibitions in Matadi, including one alongside Mavinga.In 1958, he contributed to the Brussels World Expo with his artwork. By 1966, his works were showcased at the First World Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar. In 1970, he participated in the Zairian Art Exhibition in Brussels. He organized several other solo exhibitions in his home country, notably at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, during the awarding of the AICA/Zaire gold palette in 1978, at the BCZ under the auspices of AICA in 1980, at Creation 3 Gallery in 1981, and at Van Bever Gallery in 1983.Artist Nkusu is a captivating figure. As a father of many children and a grandfather several times over, he dedicates himself entirely to his family, sometimes at the expense of his artistic work..