In late May 2025, Hiša Giser hosted an artist residency featuring Congolese artist Hugo Kanyingu Kabeya. During his stay, he created two works that were exhibited at the Hg Smeltery (Topilnica Hg) in Idrija until the end of August, linking the mining heritage of the artist’s homeland, Congo, with that of Idrija.
Hugo Kanyingu Kabeya is a young Congolese artist who lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa. He participated in the residency as part of the Peripheral Visions project, which explores the relationship between industrial and war history in the Italian-Slovenian border area.
The residency allowed the artist to immerse himself in Idrija’s identity and weave it into his creative process. Having spent his childhood in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before moving to South Africa due to ongoing conflict, Kabeya’s work is deeply marked by themes of post-colonialism, mining, and mineral exploitation. His art often reflects on the displacement experienced by African nations due to various conflicts.
As he noted in an interview during the exhibition’s preparation: “As an artist, I explore numerous themes within my work, such as historical memory, socio-political and socio-economic issues, and reflections on everyday life.”
Connecting Idrija and Congolese Heritage
Kabeya stayed in Idrija from May 23 to May 30, during which time he thoroughly explored the town’s mining legacy. He visited the Idrija Mercury Mine, the Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park, and the Vojsko Plateau.
“I can say that Idrija fascinated me. I discovered a very strong community where everyone knows one another; locals talk to each other, and you truly feel a sense of connection,” he remarked.
During a special community event held on Monday, May 26, at Hiša Giser, he met with locals of different generations—including a former miner—who shared their personal stories to help him understand the soul of Idrija. Students from the Jurij Vega Grammar School also visited the house to meet the artist.
Exhibition Open Until the End of August
The residency concluded with an exhibition opening on Thursday, May 29. The artist presented a new cycle of works created during his time at Hiša Giser. At the opening, held at the Hg Smeltery (Topilnica Hg), he shared his life story and introduced the two pieces that embody the narratives of Idrija.
This new cycle serves as a living, tangible testament to the rich cultural and natural heritage of both Idrija and Congo. By exploring layers of memory, Kabeya offers an opportunity for intercultural encounter and dialogue through the power of contemporary art. As a symbol of this connection, he used cinnabar ore, blending it with the cobalt blue that represents the mining heritage of Congo.
The residency took place within the framework of the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025, in collaboration between the ID20 Institute, the Italian organization IoDeposito, the University of Nova Gorica, and the Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre. The exhibition is accessible until the end of August 2025 as part of the standard paid tour of the Hg Smeltery.
The PV project is funded by the European Union through the GO! 2025 Small Project Fund of the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 Program, managed by EGTC GO. www.ita-slo.eu / www.euro-go.eu/spf