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Samba, Chéri

Born 1956 in Kinto M’Vuila, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lives and works in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Chéri Samba, La vraie carte du monde (N°1), 2011, Acrylic on canvas, 135 x 200 cm
. Courtesy MAGNIN-A  

In 1972, Chéri Samba left school in order to embark on an apprenticeship with the sign painters on Kasa-Vubu Avenue in Kinshasa. From this circle of artists (Moke, Cheik Ledy, among others), arose one of the most vibrant schools of popular painting in the twentieth century. Working both as a billboard painter and a comic strip artist, Samba employed the conventions of both genres, yet was forced to resort to painting on sacking cloth when canvas became unaffordable.

Samba’s paintings of this period reveal his keen perception of the social, political, economic, and cultural realities of Zaire – now Democratic Republic of Congo – and expose facets of everyday life in Kinshasa. His canvases present an ongoing commentary that is reflective of popular customs, sexuality, health, social inequalities and corruption. Group exhibitions include Essentiel Paysage, Musée d’Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden (MACAAL), Marrakech (2016–17) and Beauté Congo – 1926–2015 – Congo Kitoko, Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris (2015).

Selected Artists

Lavar Munroe

Patrick Bongoy

Béchir Boussandel

Omar Mahfoudi

M’barek Bouhchichi

Katlego Tlabela

Nada Elkalaawy

Ifeoma U. Anyaeji

Artists 2022

  • A

    • Abdoulaye Konaté
    • Aboudia
    • Adegboyega Adesina
    • Adelaide Damoah
    • Adjani Okpu-Egbe
    • Admire Kamudzengerere
    • Aïcha Snoussi
    • Ajarb Bernard Ategwa
    • Alexis Peskine
    • Amani Bodo
    • Ambrose Rhapsody Murray
    • Amina Agueznay
    • Amogelang Maepa
    • Ange Dakouo
    • Angèle Etoundi Essamba
    • Arébénor Basséne
    • Asemahle Ntlonti
    • Athenkosi Kwinana
    • Athi-Patra Ruga
    • Atong Atem
    • Atsoupé
    • Aurelino dos Santos
    • Austin Uzor
    • Auudi Dorsey
    • Ayanda Mabulu
    • Ayrson Heráclito
  • B

    • Basil Kincaid
    • Béchir Boussandel
    • Ben Orkin
    • Bertina Lopes
    • Bunmi Agusto
  • C

    • Cameron Platter
    • Cara Nahaul
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    • Chris Soal
    • Clay Apenouvon
    • Collins Obijiaku
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    • Crystal Yayra Anthony
  • D

    • David Olatoye
    • Dawit Adnew
    • Demarco Mosby
    • Deniz Pasha
    • Didier Viodé
    • Donald Wasswa
  • E

    • Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga
    • Ernest Dükü
    • Esther Mahlangu
  • F

    • Famakan Magassa
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    • Fatiha Zemmouri
    • Fella TAMZALI
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  • G

    • Gary March
    • Ghizlane Sahli
    • Gonçalo Mabunda
    • Gor Soudan
  • H

    • Hanien Conradie
    • Hassan Hajjaj
    • Henry ‘Mzili’ Mujunga
  • I

    • Ibrahim El-Salahi
    • Ifeoma U. Anyaeji
    • Isaac Zavale
    • Isabelle D.
    • Isshaq Ismail
  • J

    • Joël Andrianomearisoa
    • Johanna Mirabel
    • José Adário
  • K

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    • Katlego Tlabela
    • Kenrick McFarlane
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  • L

    • Lakwena Maciver
    • Lavar Munroe
    • Leila Rose Fanner
    • Leslie Amine
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  • M

    • M’barek Bouhchichi
    • M0XC4
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    • Manel Ndoye
    • Manyaku Mashilo
    • Mbaye Babacar Diouf
    • Mestre Didi
    • Miguel Angel Payano Jr.
    • Moufouli Bello
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  • N

    • Nada Elkalaawy
    • Nadia Ayari
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  • O

    • Odette Graskie
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    • Omar Mahfoudi
    • Onyis Martin
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  • P

    • Patrick Bongoy
    • Pedro Neves
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    • Richard Atugonza
    • Robert Peterson
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  • T

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  • V

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  • W

    • Wura-Natasha Ogunji
  • Y

    • Yasmeen Abdullah
  • Z

    • Zak Ové
    • Zanele Muholi

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