WASHINGTON, DC.- “Artists in Dialogue: António Ole and Aimé Mpane,” on view at the target="_blank">Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art from Feb. 4, 2009, through Aug. 2, 2009, is the first in a series of exhibitions in which two artists are invited to create new work at the museum, each in response to the other. Ole, who lives in Angola , and Mpane, who divides his time between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium , will spend two weeks at the museum in late January installing the site-specific works. Earlier works by the two artists will be displayed as well.

Ole and Mpane, who may not yet be familiar to U.S. audiences, bring their subtle and sophisticated manipulation of found and unlikely materials to create visually rich, multimedia installations that speak to the political and economic challenges of their home countries. Each artist has maintained a close tie to his homeland, despite the challenges this might pose. These connections to human and natural environments of their native land permeates their work. Prompted by the museum, the two men met in Portugal for the first time in the summer of 2008.

Ole has been creating and exhibiting work since he was a teenager; the selection of works on view span his 40-year career. From the crisp Pop art style of his youth to his subtle and evocative assemblages and installations, Ole’s work prompts viewers to consider challenging subject matter: poverty, political hypocrisy, territorialism, violence and decay. At the same time, his work is motivated by an appreciation for the beauty of small things and the aesthetics of poverty. All of these works are on view in the United States for the first time.

Mpane achieved international recognition in 2006 and has been a rising star since. A versatile artist who works in painting, prints, sculpture, video and installation, here he brings his commanding skill with human expression and the figure to make probing explorations of the history and present state of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Appearing together for the first time,” said curator Karen Milbourne, “Ole and Mpane present a selection of both established and new works that provide insight into their personal visions and to the manner in which they communicate visually with one another and diverse audiences.”