Chéri Samba (1956, Democratic Republic of the Congo) – the Fund’s first laureate in Congo – is an exponent of the genre of popular Congolese painting.As a child, Samba was already selling his humorous sketches outside his primary school. Combining different styles, his challenging visual statements are distinctive for their skill, techniques and innovations. He deals with everyday lives, the problems, pleasures and paradoxes of cultures undergoing rapid change and the impact that international events have on African societies. Based on the belief that artists must not only make people think but also appeal to their consciences, Samba’s work is always accessible and is popular with the general public. He has exhibited to wide acclaim throughout the world including three solo-exhibitions during the last two years at the Kunstverein Braunschweig (Germany), the Texas Southern University in Houston (USA) and at the Fondation Cartier pour L’Art Contemporain in Paris (France).
Chéri Samba in his studio, Kinshasa, 2003
Photo: André Magnin
© Chéri Samba
J’aime la couleur, 2003
C.A.A.C.–The Pigozzi Collection, GenèvePhoto: Patrick Gries
© Chéri Samba
Presentation of the 2005 Prince Claus Award to Chéri Samba
Laureates
Presentation 2005 Prince Claus Awards
