New Exchange

Charles Munka and Mtendere Mandowa ‘Teebs’ came in contact through the Los Angeles music scene. A mutual admiration developed leading to a show in Kanazawa, Japan, this also being the first time they met in person. After the success of the Japanese exhibition, the two regrouped again in Hong Kong, Munka’s current place of residency, for the Platform 78 exhibition. This return to Los Angeles continues the visual conversation between the two artists, creating a new series of works exclusive to the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery.

A true global artist, French raised, Hong Kong based Charles Munka’s work straddles genres. Post graffiti into collage, his multi-influenced culture clash style is complementary to his upbringing and current place of residence. Asian characters mixed with French text, references to computer games and city maps with Charles’ signature hand styles are completely new yet still familiar to his ‘urban’ roots. Following in the heritage of Matisse’s cut and paste and Basquiat’s hand, Munka respects the past and transforms it into a worldly future.

Born in New York to Malawi and Barbados origins, Mtendere (pronounced “ten-de-ra”) (Chichewa for “Peace”) Mandowa, is an electronic musician and painter who bounced around the East Coast before finally planting his feet in the Southern California suburb of Chino Hills. Already successful in music with Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder and ‘My Hollow Drum’ Collectives, Teebs’ painting is similar to his music production; collaging and illustrating images to create meditative and minimalist soundscapes on canvas.