It is what it is

Meet Raphaël Joseph Funga-Mukaba AKA “Don Raph”! Creative maverick, nomad, entrepreneur, curator, fashion designer... I don’t think you can really pigeonhole Don Raph. I met with the self-taught, ex-soccer star artist at InnerSpace Gallery in DTLA. The gallery has become a hub for emerging artists in the Downtown scene, and Don seems perfectly at home here for the time being with his tribe of free-spirited expressive New Wave thinkers. ‘Everybody’s busy’ as Don says.

You were born and raised in Paris, correct? Tell me about your family heritage and upbringing?

To be more precise I was born in Argenteuil, France; a commune in the Northwestern suburbs of Paris. My family heritage comes from Central Africa - Rwanda, Congo & Cameroon.

I know you’ve traveled a lot too, living in London, Texas and now LA (anywhere else?). Can you tell me about your journey to date?

Yes, I went to Houston and Austin in Texas, and then after my graduation I went exploring different cities like Luxembourg, Barcelona, NYC and Miami.

When did you discover you were going to be a fine artist? Who inspired you early on?

Throughout my travels I met local artists who inspired me to explore myself. They strongly advised me to look deeper in different mediums of art, based on the experiences they had through their personal journeys.

“My first approach was inspired by abstract expressionism with distortion to the female anatomy. It led me to the world of faces that is still prominent in my work”

How has your work evolved over the years?

My first approach was inspired by abstract expressionism with distortion to the female anatomy. It led me to the world of faces that is still prominent in my work. Lately I have been experimenting with collage - different textures of words and raw imagery.

How do you see your work progressing in the future? Any new mediums in mind? Sculpture, film, maybe even music….?

Consistency is key. I see myself progressing by always challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone – to work and learn from everyone around me, and to experiment with new mediums, as you mention.

Regardless of the medium do you always have a philosophical message you wish to portray in your work?

Yes, that’s important. It helps people understand your vision and enables them to be guided by their own emotions.

I also know you’re keen to curate and bring together certain artists for specific shows that sometimes don’t even include yourself?

Thanks for mentioning this. I like to bring artists together and create a narrative that can be turned into a curated show. Bringing together artists based on a theme can lead to unexpected shows, which is something I’m keen to keep developing. I take this task very seriously. It’s a time when I can learn new things by asking questions to artists and reflect on the theme of the show. But I like that there’s a certain amount of mystery in each theme.

Tell me about Innerspace Gallery in LA? Who discovered who?

Innerspace is a close community of artists that I’m part of, and a platform to present different points of view. When I first moved to LA, my friend Ty Stephano, a clothing designer, introduced me to the owner of gallery Sean Blake, and it went organically from there.

“Inappropriate Thoughts”. It’s a continuation of the dialogue of “Inside Thoughts”; personal vice, political views & dysfunction in the society, thoughts of a sexual nature, including fantasies”

You were recently part of a group show that aimed to explore the inner dialogue of your mind. How did your submissions respond to that?

As the world was shut down due to COVID-19, as an artist one was forced to go deeper within and explore the inner conflicts and dialogue of your mind. This group show reflects the results of different artists’ inner struggles, and hopes as individuals. The artwork made during this period reflects their “INSIDE THOUGHTS”.

And you’ve recently produced some collages which are entirely different from your paintings, for another upcoming group show. Tell me about the concept for the show and this new aesthetic?

Yes, I’m actually working toward the group show which will be called “Inappropriate Thoughts”. It’s a continuation of the dialogue of “Inside Thoughts”; personal vice, political views & disfunction in the society, thoughts of a sexual nature, including fantasies.

What’s currently happening in the Downtown LA scene?

More people are willing to get back to their craft and find new creative way of expressing themselves.

Music, film, art... What are you into right now?

Music: check out the The Don Raph Vibes on Spotify!! Movies: Manifesto, Breathless. Art: Ai Weiwei, Luciano Fabro

You’ve also recently launched your own line of clothes under the name ’Tranquilo’. Tell me more….!

Tranquilo is a special word to me and a big paradox, because I love to chill, but sometimes I’m also not so tranquilo! So the word is a good reminder to be happy no matter what and keep the good vibes.

What’s the plan moving forwards?

DR TRANQUILO!! No plan is the best plan. Go with the flow…