Rigobert Nimi, Spaceship, sculpture, found objects, plastic, metal, wood, 2021

Rigobert Nimi is a sculptor and engineer born in 1965 in Tshiela, Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo. He lives and works in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Like other African artists, he mainly uses recycled materials such as plastic, metal and aluminium.
Nimi creates his works with extreme precision, calculating every detail meticulously. The result is a series of colourful and precise machines. These machines often incorporate elements of light, sound and movement, essential aspects of his work. It takes him several months to create these works.
He has commented on his art by saying: ‘Designing and building these machines with rigour and precision is a way for me to make my dreams come true, to forget everyday life and its difficulties. It's courage, above all, that has enabled me to succeed. Young artists here are an ignored resource. We are not valued by those who should be encouraging and supporting us.' Nimi's works are a fascinating blend of artistic creativity and technical know-how, and reflect both her dreams and her thoughts on the difficulties faced by artists in her country.