Chéri Samba facts for kids

Chéri Samba (born 30 December 1956) is a famous painter from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is known as one of the most important modern African artists. His amazing artworks are displayed in major museums, like the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Many of his paintings are also part of a special collection called The Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC). Chéri Samba was even invited to show his art at the 2007 Venice Biennale, which is a very important art event.

His paintings almost always include words written in French and Lingala. These words often share his thoughts about life in Africa and the world today. Chéri Samba lives in both Kinshasa and Paris.

A painting by Chéri Samba showing the African community near the Naamse Poort.

Chéri Samba's Early Life

Chéri Samba was born with the name David Samba. However, in his country, there was a rule against using Christian first names. So, he decided to change his name to Samba wa Mbimba N’zingo Nuni Masi Ndo Mbasi. Later, he chose the name Chéri Samba. His last name, Samba, has two meanings in the Kikongo language. It can mean "to pray" or "to be judged."

Samba's parents were part of the Kongo culture. But Chéri Samba prefers to connect with the culture of Kinshasa, which is the capital city of his country. He says he became Catholic when he went to school. He respects Christianity, the religion he grew up with. However, he likes to keep his personal beliefs private. Chéri Samba always loved drawing, even though his father did not like him doing it. His Catholic faith, mixed with Zairian influences, has inspired many of his paintings. One example is his work called Chéri Samba Beseeches the Cosmos.

Becoming a Famous Artist

Chéri Samba was born in Kinto M’Vuila, a village in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was the oldest of ten children. His father worked as a blacksmith, and his mother was a farmer. In 1972, when he was 16, Samba left his village. He moved to the capital city of Kinshasa to find work as a sign painter. There, he met other talented artists like Moké and Bodo. This group of artists, including Samba's younger brother Cheik Ledy, became known for their lively and popular paintings.

In 1975, Chéri Samba opened his very own art studio. At the same time, he also started drawing pictures for a fun magazine called Bilenge Info. He used what he learned from painting billboards and drawing comic strips in his own art. He began making paintings on rough cloth, using "word bubbles" just like in comics. This allowed him to add stories and comments to his artworks. This unique way of mixing painting with text became his special style. His art quickly made him well-known in his local area.

In 1979, Samba's art was shown in an exhibition called Moderne Kunst aus Afrika in West Berlin. This was his first international art show. He was also the main person in a 1982 documentary film called Kin Kiesse. In the film, he shared his thoughts about life in Kinshasa.

Chéri Samba's biggest moment came in 1989 with the exhibition Les Magiciens de la Terre at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. This show made him famous all around the world. Later, in 2007, a famous art expert named Robert Storr invited Samba to take part in the 52nd International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. This is one of the most important art events in the world.

What Chéri Samba's Art Means

Chéri Samba's paintings often highlight important issues in his home country. He wants people to think about problems like poverty, corruption, and confusion in society. Samba explains, "I want to make people think. I paint real life, even if it's shocking. I add humor and bright colors to make people look at it."

In his painting called J'aime la couleur (I love color), he explores ideas about race and who we are. Samba believes that sharing experiences and building a common identity can make communities stronger, especially for people of African heritage around the world. He often paints himself right in the middle of his artworks. This helps him share his thoughts and comments on social issues.

Artists Like Chéri Samba

• Hieronymus Bosch
• William Kentridge
• Camille-Pierre Pambu Bodo, Bodo
• Moké
• Abdoulaye Konaté

Images for kids

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  Painting representing the African community near the Naamse Poort - Chéri Samba Porte de Namur, porte de l'amour