Mozambique

Artist: Livio de Morais

* 1945 in Mozambique

1978 Finished his studies of the Fine Arts (sculpturing) at the University of Fine Arts in Lisbon.

He's taught Art History for 36 years. He's written fiction.

He's created a variety of bronze sculptures and designed stamps and postcards. He's also worked as a photographer. He does research on African masks and has given various lectures on the subject in Barcelona, Vigo, Bologna and Madeira. Since 1971 he's participated in national and international exhibitions and has represented his country. 1997 he was a member of the UNESCO world congress in Paris, where his status as an artist was redefined.

Interpretation

I've named my bear Mother Makonde. This is meant to be a homage to the famous sculptures of the Makonde (tribe from the North of Mozambique).

My chosen subject: The thesis by Leo Frobenius in "Passing Rites".

My message: Life, peace, tolerance and freedom.

The passing rites: Birth, initiation, fertility and life hereafter. These aspects dominate the design of my bear in the shape of the woman-mother and wearing her native mask. Mother Makonde has her eyes closed (spirituality) and is pregnant. The foetus is developing until the age of breast-feeding. Her arms also show fertility in the form of birds. On her back the child can rest. This reminds of children's rights and human rights.

The dominant colour is ochre: Symbol of life on earth.

Lívio de Morais

Sponsor: Honorarkonsul Siegfried Lingel, Republik Mosambik und Merkur Bank KGaA, München