The Fowler Museum is pleased to present a special reading by celebrated and award-winning Congolese novelist and UCLA Professor of Literature, Alain Mabanckou. Mabanckou is best known for his writing that depicts the experiences of contemporary Africa and the African diaspora in France. He will read an original piece inspired by the work on view in Gosette Lubondo: Imaginary Trip. Prior to his presentation, join us for an exhibition walk-through with curator Erica P. Jones; then enjoy the reading and reception under the stars in our courtyard.

The reading will be in French, with French and English printed copies of the text available.

This program is presented in partnership with UCLA European Languages & Transcultural Studies.

Alain Mabanckou was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1966. An award-winning novelist, Man International Booker Prize finalist, poet, and essayist, he lives in Los Angeles and teaches literature at UCLA. Mabanckou is the author of African Psycho, Broken Glass, Black Bazaar, Tomorrow I’ll Be Twenty, The Lights of Pointe-Noire, and Black Moses. Among his many honors are the Académie Française’s Grand Prix de Littérature, awarded in recognition of his literary career; and the 2016 French Voices Award for The Lights of Pointe-Noire, praised by Salman Rushdie as “a beautiful book.” Mabanckou is a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur; he was a finalist for the 2015 and 2017 Man Booker International Prize; and has been featured on Vanity Fair’s list of France’s 50 most influential people. He is a member of the Booker Prize jury.

Fowler Talks: The Fowler is honored to be a convening place for conversations, lectures, and readings that explore the many ways art creates meaning and defines purpose for people across the globe.

Image: Gosette Lubondo, Imaginary Trip II, 2019. © Gosette Lubondo, Courtesy Axis Gallery, NY & NJ