EBAS-Maputo launched its Sustainable Art Biennale with the inaugural 2025 edition of the Sustainable Art Meeting, awarding standout recycled-waste creations through its competition. The event also marked 50 years of Mozambique’s independence, highlighting the vital role of eco-art in promoting ecological awareness and cultural innovation across urban centers.
The competition received 197 submissions from nearly every province, featuring mixed‑media works crafted from recyclable materials such as bottle caps, wrapping paper, and other refuse. These artworks addressed important issues such as ecological justice and waste stewardship in urban centers. Mozambican visual artist Gilberto Muzilene received the top prize of 80,000 MT for his compelling recyclable artwork. Chaleque and António Mucavele earned second and third places with awards of 50,000 MT and 30,000 MT, respectively.
Following the award ceremony, the exhibition went on tour and was displayed at several venues, including the Mozambique Environmental Interpretation Centre, shopping centres, hotels, and Mozambique Fashion Week. Additionally, the programme included workshops and talks focusing on waste, beauty, and social responsibility as foundational themes in sustainable urban development.
Mayor Rasaque Manhique addressed the public, stating:
“Artists are agents of transformation and, through art, they are contributing to a more conscious, creative, and sustainable city. From the beginning of the exhibition, the talent, creativity, and critical spirit of the artists were evident. Using recyclable materials and innovative concepts, they transformed waste into powerful messages,” he continued. “Each work was a silent cry of hope and an invitation to ecological awareness.”
Gilberto Muzilene’s works featured figurative designs made from locally sourced wrap papers, bottle caps, and strings—depicting figures that reflect the lived realities of Maputo’s residents. Created in collaboration with Polana Urban Creative Space, his piece embodies the synergy between community identity and ecological consciousness.
The organizers will continue EBAS‑Maputo on a two‑year cycle, establishing a long‑term platform for sustainable ecological innovation and civic participation—positioning Maputo as a leader in eco‑art practices across East Africa.
