At its launch event in October 2024, the Defise Foundation announced its first pioneering project: a three-year partnership with Studio Voltaire, through which three Congolese artists would undertake a 12-week residency in South London. These residencies will provide each artist with essential support to develop their specific practices, whilst benefiting from specialist professional development, in turn creating opportunities for meaningful international exchange between the Congo and the UK.

The first artist-in-residence is Godelive Kasangati Kabena, selected from a highly competitive group of applicants. Kabena’s work explores how different bodies interact, challenging traditional human-centred perspectives. Her practice examines reproduction and the assumption of equality, creating a space to rethink these ideas. During her residency, from May-July 2025, Kabena will deepen her research into reproduction and distribution, particularly examining archival images as contested spaces, affording Kabena the time and resources to experiment with new approaches.⁠

Godelive Kasangati Kabena (b. 1996, Democratic Republic of Congo) graduated in painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa, where she began developing her photographic practice. In 2017, she participated in a two-year photography training course initiated by EUNIC-RDC, The Goethe Institute of Kinshasa and the Kinshasa
Academy of Fine Arts. Kabena currently lives and works between Kinshasa and Kumasi, where she continues her studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

About Studio Voltaire
Studio Voltaire is one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit arts and education organisations. Championing emerging and under-represented artists, we commission and produce exhibitions, artist development programmes, civic and learning projects, live events and offsite commissions. Studio Voltaire is a registered charity and part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.

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