Pascaline Makoundou
Pascaline Makoundou was born in 1967 in Madingou and now lives and works in Brazzaville. Nothing initially destined her to become a painter. Yet from her early school years through high school, she found joy in poetry and theatre, forms of expression that would later inspire her artistic vision.
Married young and building a family, it wasn’t until 1995 that Pascaline felt the need for a new direction. She searched for meaning and questioned her future. One sleepless night in 1996, she stumbled upon a documentary about the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. It was a revelation. Captivated by the narrative, she decided she would become a painter.
With no formal training or knowledge of visual arts, she began visiting hardware stores in search of paint and canvases. In April 1996, she completed her first painting, inspired by a Van Gogh work. Soon after, she turned to her own stories and emotions, driven by remarkable motivation and courage.
For a long time, Pascaline refused to join an art school, determined to learn on her own. But in January 1997, during her first exhibition at the M’Bamou Palace Hotel, representatives of the World Health Organization were deeply moved by one of her works: "SIDA, une inondation", a powerful painting addressing HIV/AIDS. Impressed by her talent, they encouraged her to join the Poto-Poto School of Painting to refine her techniques and explore new mediums.
Invited as a special guest, she began collaborating with the Poto-Poto School and held a second exhibition in February 1997, again presenting works on the theme of HIV/AIDS, this time with a singular style that marked her artistic identity.
Supported by her husband and brother-in-law, she received private training from renowned painters Serge Miénandi, Engo Michel, and Yves Mokomba, who taught her the foundations of the craft. Although mentored by masters, Pascaline remains largely self-taught, celebrated for her determination and originality.
Over the years, she has received multiple awards, including the France-Africa Friendship Prize and the Women’s Promotion Prize. In recognition of her exceptional career, she was appointed Officer of the Congolese Order of Devotionin 2016.
Pascaline Makoundou has exhibited widely in Congo and abroad :in Gabon, Morocco, Burkina Faso, France... and her works have also traveled across North America. Through her signature spiral and mosaic techniques, she portrays scenes of everyday life, exploring themes such as nature, tropical diseases, and the condition of women, always with a profound humanity.
