VISU contributed to the publication of MABABU – Spirit of the Ancestors, a new book devoted to the work of Congolese photographer and visual artist Pamela Tulizo. Edited by VISU member Katarzyna Ruchel-Stockmans and published by Hopper & Fuchs in Dutch, French and English, the volume brings together Tulizo’s photographs, an interview with the artist, and contributions by Ruchel-Stockmans, Junior Diczer, Maarten Vanden Eynde and Dalilla Hermans.
In MABABU—“ancestors” in Swahili—Tulizo places women at the centre of historical narratives that have too often relegated them to the margins. Her carefully staged photographs evoke lives shaped by slavery, colonial rule and economic exploitation, while acknowledging the gaps in their archival traces. Combining historical imagination, fashion and photography, she explores connections between past and present, including the extractive violence that continues to affect eastern Congo.
The publication creates a space for dialogue between artistic practice, historical inquiry and critical reflection on representation. Through its support, VISU helps make Tulizo’s artistic research accessible beyond the exhibition, reaching readers in educational and cultural contexts.
The book will be launched on 8 October 2026 at the opening of Tulizo’s exhibition at GC De Markten in Brussels. The exhibition, which runs until 31 October and coincides with the MashaaDunya Festival, is a VUB Cultural Diplomacy initiative led by Katarzyna Ruchel-Stockmans.