Joana Taya – «[…] often, when I start a new piece, my first impulse comes from a place of defiance.»

Amidst places, memories and emotions, the painter Joana Taya crafts an artistic language deeply rooted in African identity and the experience of the world. Born between Angola and the diaspora, the artist transforms personal experiences into works that intertwine intimacy and collective consciousness. In this conversation with Villas&Golfe Angola, she reveals how her international journey has shaped her view of humanity, whilst celebrating art as a space for reflection, resistance and hope.

Your work is inspired by Angola and the wider world. How does your Angolan identity continue to influence your artistic vision, even though you live abroad? 
Although I have lived away from Angola for many years, Angola will always live within me. The music, the cuisine, everyday social life, the customs, the way of thinking, my visual references, the colours, the patterns and even the desire to return one day – all of these are a constant presence in my life. When I create, I use my art not only as a personal diary, but also as a way of conveying my messages through the eyes and experience of an African woman. 

Having spent time in places as diverse as Lisbon and Norway, what have these international experiences added to the way you interpret and represent humankind? 
The experience of living in Norway for 13 years, where I had my children, was profoundly transformative and rewarding in terms of what I learnt. It was also during this period that my feelings of homesickness for Angola grew stronger and that I developed my technique and artistic career on a professional level. Norwegian culture taught me to view the world with a greater sense of patience and tolerance, placing value on the idea that the common good ultimately influences the good of each individual. These experiences directly influence the way I interpret and represent humankind, bringing greater sensitivity, balance and collective consciousness to my work. Since then, I moved to Portugal in 2016, where I found an African community that was much more present than the one I had in Norway. This feeling of closeness has inspired me greatly, and the blend of African and European influences in literature, music, language and cuisine has proven to be very enriching. 

«The experience of living in Norway for 13 years, where I had my children, was profoundly transformative and rewarding in terms of what I learnt.»

Angola is a country that is undergoing transformation. Where do you see its future, and how can art keep pace with or even anticipate this evolution? 
My sincere hope is that Angola will remain a peaceful country, one that is able to guarantee all of its citizens their basic needs, such as sanitation, education, healthcare, food, employment, transport and security. I also hope that the country continues to strengthen its partnerships with other African nations and that, with time, it becomes more self-sufficient, particularly in regard to the economy and essential goods, allowing it to become increasingly independent. Art comes from reflecting on the world around us. In my case, I try to create a space for representing African women, in the hope of helping to establish points of reference in an increasingly divided world.

«I focus a lot on African mental empowerment and endeavour to develop this dialogue throughout my work.»

Your painting delves greatly into identity and emotions. What motivates you most deeply when you start a new piece? Is there a story, a memory or an impulse? 
I have to admit that, often, when I start a new piece, my first impulse comes from a place of defiance. However, throughout the process, through reflection and my own expression, I try to turn those feelings into possible solutions, almost as if I were writing a diary. My process involves writing different stories in each collection. I focus a lot on African mental empowerment and endeavour to develop this dialogue throughout my work. We live in a world marred by chaos and injustice, yet I still try to create a space where there is hope and harmony.

«[…] Angola’s true wealth lies in its people, a multitude of voices that deserve to be seen and heard.»

As an artist who has travelled the world, what message would you like to convey to the world about Angola, and what would you like the world to discover about Angola through your art? 
I would like to show that Angola is a country of remarkable richness, not only culturally but also intellectually. That Angola’s true wealth lies in its people, a multitude of voices that deserve to be seen and heard.

Text: Editorial team 
Photos: Nuno Almendra