In Conversation: Eli Made, the Alchemist from Shadow to Light
Eli Made (born Mafundwe) is a visionary at heart, whose art radiates a wisdom that is both moving and profound. Born in 2003 in Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he embodies with boldness and sincerity this new generation of Congolese artists. Since settling in Kinshasa in 2022, he has stood out through his unique use of bleach on canvas: an experimental technique that has become his signature—a language in its own right. Blending art and spirituality, Eli Made weaves his reflections, canvas after canvas, in a quest for sensitive and transcendent expression, born from trials and wounds he has since healed.
Eli MADE
Modern Alchemist, Eli Made is an artist who delves into the psyche, holding a mirror up to us through his works. In this interview for Mayì-Arts, Eli Made opens the door to his mind and retraces his journey as he prepares for his next exhibition.
In the Beginning
Ngalula MAFWATA: How did your artistic journey and practice begin?
Eli MADE: It all started with drawing, which quickly became a vital means of expression for me. Later, I was introduced to photography and lighting design thanks to Sighted. And then came bleach. This discovery was a true revelation, especially because it emerged from a lack of materials.
Ngalula MAFWATA: Bleach on canvas is an unconventional technique that has become your signature. Where did this idea come from?
Eli MADE: The idea of using bleach on canvas was born from a mix of constraints and curiosity. At the time, I lacked traditional materials, so I began experimenting with what I had on hand. Bleach, with its power to decolor and transform surfaces, fascinated me. I saw in this chemical reaction a powerful metaphor: bringing light into darkness. Over time, this technique became a signature.
Alchemy
Ngalula MAFWATA: What message are you trying to convey through this unique process?
Eli MADE: Through this technique, I aim to explore the alchemy between destruction and creation, between what disappears and what emerges. My work is deeply tied to resilience, self-discovery, and mental health. There’s also a spiritual dimension that runs through each piece, a quest for meaning through trials and transformation. Bleach, by altering the material, acts as a powerful metaphor: its effect, which brings light to a dark surface, symbolises a journey of inner transformation. It’s a process that evokes how our experiences—even the most painful ones—can reveal hidden parts of ourselves, like a light breaking through darkness. Each canvas becomes a testimony to this struggle between shadow and clarity, between what is lost and what is found.
“Through this technique, I aim to explore the alchemy between destruction and creation, between what disappears and what emerges. My work is deeply tied to resilience, self-discovery, and mental health. ”
Ngalula MAFWATA: Your works convey a profound meaning, blending a sense of maturity and spirituality. Can you explain what nourishes this dimension in your work?
Eli MADE: Thank you so much. This dimension is deeply rooted in my personal journey. Becoming an orphan during my teenage years made me go through intense hardships, and it’s from that period that my work draws much of its inspiration. More specifically, it’s anchored in the moment when I began to emerge from depression—those moments when I was trying to find the light again after having lived so long in darkness. These experiences shaped a particular sensitivity in me—a quest for meaning and resilience that is reflected in every piece. Spirituality, transformation, and rebirth are recurring themes, as they embody this inner journey from suffering to hope, from destruction to creation. My art is a way of transcending these trials and sharing that rediscovered light.
Liens subtiles, Eli MADE, 2023
Ngalula MAFWATA: Few symbols, such as the cowrie shell or masks, appear regularly in your work. What is the meaning of these elements, and why do you choose them as recurring motifs?
Eli MADE: Yes, these elements are much more than motifs to me, they are part of a deep journey of self-acceptance, especially in terms of culture and identity. For example, when I created Liens Subtiles, it was a way to confront the internal conflict I felt while exploring my traditional history. That piece marked a turning point: it completed my de-alienation, like a reconciliation with my roots and a rediscovery of who I truly am.
The cowrie shell, with its rich history and spiritual symbolism, reminds me of where I come from. It embodies memory, transmission, and the value of what came before us. Masks, on the other hand, are like mirrors—they speak of protection, transformation, but also of the multiple facets of our identity. Every time I incorporate them into my work, it’s a way to ground myself in my heritage while exploring what it means to be me today.
Ngalula MAFWATA: What are the main sources of inspiration that influence your art, both personally and culturally?
Eli MADE: My sources of inspiration are deeply rooted in my life journey and origins. On a personal level, my art is nourished by the challenges I’ve gone through, like the long road out of depression. These experiences taught me to see beauty in fragility and to transform pain into something tangible, something luminous. Each canvas is like a page from my personal journal, where I explore resilience, rebirth, and the search for self.Culturally, I draw a lot from my traditional heritage. Ancestral symbols, they are bridges to my roots, reminders of the richness of my history. When I delve into these motifs, it’s a way of reconnecting with what has been passed down to me. It’s a constant dialogue between past and present, between the individual and the universal.
“Each canvas is like a page from my personal journal, where I explore resilience, rebirth, and the search for self. Culturally, I draw a lot from my traditional heritage. Ancestral symbols, they are bridges to my roots, reminders of the richness of my history.”
Ngalula MAFWATA: Is there a particular artwork that resonates with you on a deeply personal level—like an intimate echo?
Eli MADE: Yes, there’s one piece that holds a very special place in my heart: L’Alfajiri. It’s particularly meaningful because it marks the beginning of a quest—both artistic and personal. It’s a piece that signals the start of my creative process, like a point of departure toward everything that came afterward. L’Alfajiri—which means “dawn” in Swahili—was created at a time when I was beginning to emerge from a dark period. It felt like a new chapter, a rebirth. Through this work, I explored themes of light breaking through darkness, of transformation and hope. It embodies that moment when I felt I could finally breathe again, when I began to believe in the possibility of healing and growth.
What touches me most is that it carries a piece of my personal story, yet it also holds something universal. It speaks to anyone who has gone through hardship and is searching for the light again. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of where I come from and where I’m headed—it’s a piece that reconnects me to my essence and to my mission.
Murmuration Over Moor, Eli Made, 2024
“So far, my works have been very centered around individual exploration, with solitary subjects that echo almost Jungian archetypes, introspective figures in search of light and transformation. Today, I feel ready to expand this vision.”
Ngalula MAFWATA: Today, Congo is experiencing a creative effervescence with the emergence of several movements, including Kongoism. How do you see yourself within this dynamic, and how would you define your own art?
Eli MADE: Being part of this creative effervescence is an honor. Congo is an incredible breeding ground where art draws from our traditions while constantly reinventing itself. Movements like Kongoism show just how alive and diverse our culture is. Within this dynamic, I aim to bring a unique voice—blending my Congolese heritage with universal themes like resilience, the search for self, and transformation. I like to think I contribute to this richness by offering a singular perspective, one that merges the personal and the collective, the traditional and the contemporary.
Ngalula MAFWATA: Through your canvases, what kind of impact do you hope to create with your art?
Eli MADE: Through my canvases, I want to convey a message of hope and resilience. I hope that each person who sees my work feels invited to embrace their vulnerabilities, to accept transformation, and to find light even in the darkest moments. I want my art to resonate beyond borders—to touch those who recognize themselves in these inner struggles and identity quests. My dream is for it to inspire, to provoke reflection, and to serve as a reminder that even in destruction, there is always a possibility for rebirth.
“Congo is an incredible breeding ground where art draws from our traditions while constantly reinventing itself. Movements like Kongoism show just how alive and diverse our culture is. ”
Ngalula MAFWATA: What themes do you think you’ll explore in your future creations? Are there any subjects that particularly attract you for your upcoming works?
Eli MADE: So far, my works have been very centered around individual exploration, with solitary subjects that echo almost Jungian archetypes, introspective figures in search of light and transformation. Today, I feel ready to expand this vision. I’d like to explore compositions with more characters, interactions, and visual dialogues that tell collective stories. This could be a way to approach themes like human connection, community, or even the tensions between the individual and the group. That being said, I think solo characters will always remain present in my work. They embody an intimacy, a depth that I don’t want to abandon. It’s a balance I’m looking to find: between the individual and the collective, between introspection and sharing.
Find the work of Eli Made on his personal spaces and during his next exhibition with Galerie Angalia.
