One of Letterkenny's leading mosaic artists set to host exhibition

A one-week exhibition is set to take place in Letterkenny, showcasing the work of a man whose mosaics are evident in the north-west.

Macola Vonga has been an artist all of his life. He grew up in Angola, and he arrived in Ireland in 1996, immediately becoming involved with the Irish arts scene.

Macola worked as a freelance artist in Dublin for 15 years, as well as working as an archaeologist. In 2003, Macola graduated from the Dublin-based Larkin College art school. In the same year, Macola exhibited at Columbus University in Ohio.

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In 2010, he decided to move to Donegal, where he has created works of art on behalf of local community projects, including the Church Lane mosaic wall Mural in Letterkenny and the mosaic floor mural in the Rathmelton Town Hall.

In 2016, he created a mosaic mural for the 1916 centenary celebrations. This project highlighted the Pearse brothers' involvement in the ornamental pulpit at Letterkenny's St Eunan's Cathedral. Macola's work is heavily influenced by African music, rituals and folklore, and he is a great admirer of the impressionist movement. He is fascinated by the healing power of art and the interplay between art and politics.

Macola's latest exhibition is a retrospective of his work from his time in Letterkenny over the past 15 years. Macola is a full-time self-employed artist and has worked in collaboration with artists from all over Donegal and further afield. The exhibition will open on Monday at 3pm at the Library, Main Street, Letterkenny, and will run for all week.

Donegal Domestic Violence Services said of Macola last October: “A huge thank you to Macola of Mosaic-studio for this amazing donation of a handmade mosaic of our logo! This piece is absolutely stunning and we are so thankful to Macola for teaching our 4Empowerment Donegal groups the art of mosaics. The ladies are finding his classes so therapeutic and healing & Macola is so patient and supportive!”.