MEET
Alcides Malaika
Alcides Malaika (b. 1993, Luanda, Angola) is a self-taught contemporary artist whose powerful visual language is rooted in resilience, memory, and the redemptive force of creativity. He began drawing at the age of two, using art instinctively to process and document his world — a world shaped by the complexities of growing up on the streets of Luanda.
In his early years, painting became more than expression; it was survival. A pivotal moment came when Alcides was welcomed into the Padre Horácio Reception Centre, where he joined the collective Meninos Pintores de Angola, founded by Eliane and Renata. There, he discovered a nurturing space that allowed his artistic talent to flourish. For Alcides, this wasn’t just a refuge — it was the birthplace of his identity as an artist.
His paintings carry deep emotional weight, reflecting both personal trauma and a profound sense of hope. Through figurative gestures, bold colour, and emotive composition, Alcides Malaika transforms lived experience into visual testimony. His work speaks to the realities of street life, the dignity of survival, and the healing potential of creative freedom.
Today, Alcides stands as a remarkable voice in contemporary Angolan art, using his practice to honour the past, uplift the present, and inspire transformation. His story — and his work — resonate as a powerful tribute to art’s ability to rebuild and reimagine.
