Chéri Samba

Born in 1956, in DR Congo
Lives and works in Kinshasa (DR Congo)

Chéri Samba began a career making advertising signs in Kinshasa in 1972. In 1979, he began painting for himself. His work placed him among Congolese folk painters Chéri Cherin and Moke.

Biography

Characterised by clear lines and bold colours, Samba’s work depicts scenes from daily life and stands out for its use of text which, employing subtitles and speech bubbles, deals with local and international political, economic and cultural issues. Samba’s paintings convey a coherent and staunchly contemporary vision of a troubled Africa. Though he is largely inspired by his city, Samba aims for the universal. Often appearing in the middle of canvases, Samba personifies a half-innocent, half-activist observer transmitting what he considers essential messages. Among other subjects, he tackles environmental concerns (Problème d’eau, 2004), tragic events (Après le 11 septembre 2001), corruption (Le Commun des politiciens, 2003), the ravages of AIDS, the renewal of world equilibrium (Le Monde avant les continents, 2011), and the recognition of African art by Western museums (Hommage aux anciens créateurs, 1999 and Enfin !… Après tant d’années, 2002).

Bibliographic resources

Pagé, Suzanne ; Magnin, André ; Scherf, Angeline... [et al.]. Les initiés : un choix d’œuvres (1989-20009) dans la collection d'art contemporain africain de Jean Pigozzi : [Exposition, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris, 25 avril - 28 août 2017]. Paris : Editions Dilecta, 2017.

Grässlin, Karola. Les débuts de Chéri Samba : [exhibition, Kunstverein Braunschweig, Braunschweig, 05.03-08.05.2005]. Köln : Walther König, 2005.

Magnin, André ; Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain (Paris). J'aime Chéri Samba [exposition, Paris, Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, du 24 janvier au 2 mai 2004]. Paris : Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, 2004.

Samba, Chéri ; Musée national des arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie. Chéri Samba [exposition, Musée national des arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie, Paris, 14 mai - 18 août 1997. Paris : Hazan ; Paris : Musée national des arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie, 1997.

Jewsiewicki, Bogumil ; Galerie Amrad art africain. Cheri Samba : the hybridity of art = l'hybridité d'un art. Westmount, Québec : Galerie Amrad African Art Publications, 1995. (Contemporary African artists series, 1).

Samba, Chéri. Chéri Samba : le peintre populaire du Zaïre [exposition rétrospective, Provinciaal Museum voor Moderne Kunst, Ostende, 21 octobre 1990 - 7 janvier 1991]. [s.l.] : [s.n.], [1991].

In The Collection

Collection : A Selection of African artworks

Exhibition of the Collection

From 26 April 2017 to 4 September 2017

The continent, artists and cultural influence of Africa are today essential to understanding the world’s artistic landscape.

Artists

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Liquids (water bottles, etc.) are not permitted within the building.

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