Transform Pain to Power: Biennale for Goma

Art for Justice: Bringing the 2026 Contemporary Art Biennale to Goma, DRC

We need your support to bring the 2026 Contemporary Art Biennale to Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo—an event that will do more than celebrate art; it will amplify the voices of a region that has endured great suffering due to global indifference and corporate greed.

Hosted by Mboko Lopiki and The Tunga Art Lab

The Tunga Art Lab links contemporary art performances to current social crises, focused on the tragic situation imposed on the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the last 30 years.

Mboko Lopiki is a dance artist from Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He began his dance career as a member of the Hip Hop dance collective “Spirit of the Dance.” In 2015, he initiated the “Maendeleo Dance Project,” which provided workshops aimed at supervising and reintegrating street children into society. Further driven by the desire and passion to learn different forms of contemporary dance, Mboko then joined the “Inuka Dance Company” in 2016 and trained under the Busara Dance Company. He is currently the choreographer, artistic director, and dancer-performer of the “Heartist Dance Company” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is a recipient of the Prince Claus Fonds Seed Award 2022.

Goma's Story: The Hidden Cost of Western Development

Goma has been paying the price of global greed for decades. Western corporations, driven by the hunger for resources like coltan and cobalt—essential minerals for our phones, laptops, and electric cars—have fueled a humanitarian crisis that has left millions displaced and many dead. Behind every smartphone lies a story of exploitation, child labor, and violence that corporations conveniently ignore, prioritizing profits over human lives. This crisis is not just the result of local conflict; it is a genocide driven by greed, with western interests directly benefitting from the chaos. These corporations and governments turn a blind eye to the exploitation and suffering they profit from, while the people of Goma continue to live with forced displacement, dangerous mining conditions, and unimaginable trauma.

Our Vision: Art as a Catalyst for Change

The 2026 Contemporary Art Biennale is a call to action, a platform where art becomes a means to highlight injustices and reclaim narratives. This one-week event will feature over 120 local and international artists across various disciplines—dance, music, and visual arts- and international community projects to bring global attention to Goma's struggles and celebrate the self-determination of its people. This Biennale is about more than showcasing talent; it’s about transforming pain into power. It’s about demanding justice for those exploited by industries that serve our everyday conveniences. It’s about building an international community that refuses to be complicit.

This Biennale will not happen without your support.

Your donation will:

- Support Event Infrastructure

Creating safe and inspiring spaces for artistic expression.

- Facilitate Community Workshops and Donations

Providing a platform for skill-building, collaboration, and opportunities for artists to give back to their community through events like school supply give-aways and food distribution events.

- Promote the Biennale Locally & Internationally

Ensuring that the message reaches the global community.

Total Goal: $5,500

Why We Need You Now

The silence of the international community must end. The suffering in Goma is not inevitable—it is a result of deliberate choices made by governments and corporations prioritizing profits over human lives. By supporting the Biennale, you are helping to break that silence. You are helping to give voice to the people of Goma, who deserve to be heard and respected.