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 paintings are displayed in major art museums around the world. You can find his work in places like the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Many of his artworks are also part of The Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC) owned by Jean Pigozzi. Chéri Samba was even invited to show his art at the 2007 Venice Biennale, a very important art exhibition. His paintings often include words in French and Lingala (a language spoken in Congo). These words help tell stories and 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 an African community near the Naamse Poort in Brussels.

Early Life and Name

Chéri Samba's original name was David Samba. However, in his home 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. He thought about changing it again to Dessinateur Samba, but he kept Chéri Samba because of how people knew him.

His last name, Samba, has two meanings in the Kikongo language. It can mean "to pray" or "to be judged."

Growing Up and School

Chéri Samba's parents were connected to the Kongo culture. But he feels more connected to the culture of Kinshasa, which is the capital city of his country. He became Catholic while he was in school. He respects Christianity, the religion he grew up with. However, he prefers not to be labeled with a specific religious group.

After finishing primary Catholic school, Samba went to high school. He was a very good student, usually ranking second in his class. He even ranked first one year! He left high school in his third year. Even when he was in school, Samba loved to draw. He remembers that his father did not like seeing him draw. His Catholic faith, mixed with Zairian culture, influenced many of his paintings. One example is his painting called Chéri Samba Beseeches the Cosmos.

His Art Journey

Chéri Samba was born in Kinto M’Vuila, Democratic Republic of Congo. He was the oldest of 10 children. His father was a blacksmith, and his mother was a farmer. In 1972, when he was 16, Samba left his village. He went to the capital city of Kinshasa to find work as a sign painter. There, he met other artists like Moké and Bodo. These artists, including Samba's younger brother Cheik Ledy, became known for their lively and popular paintings.

Opening His Own Studio

In 1975, Chéri Samba opened his own art studio. At the same time, he also worked as an illustrator for a magazine called Bilenge Info. He used his skills from painting billboards and drawing comic strips in his own artworks. He started painting on sacking cloth, which is a rough fabric.

He also began to add "word bubbles" to his paintings, just like in comic strips. This allowed him to add stories and comments to his art. This unique way of combining painting with text became his special style. His work quickly made him famous in his local area. In 1979, Samba's art was shown in an exhibition in West Berlin called Moderne Kunst aus Afrika (Modern Art from Africa).

Gaining International Fame

Chéri Samba was the main person featured in a 1982 documentary film called Kin Kiesse. In the film, he shared his thoughts about life in Kinshasa. The film's director, Mwezé Ngangura, said that Samba was very important in making the movie happen. He helped convince French and Congolese TV channels that Ngangura could make a film about Kinshasa.

Samba's big break came in 1989 with the exhibition Les Magiciens de la Terre (The Magicians of the Earth). This show was held at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. This exhibition made him known all over the world.

In 2007, a curator named Robert Storr invited Samba to take part in the 52nd International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. This exhibition was called "Think with the Senses—Feel with the Mind. Art in the Present Tense." It was described by The Huffington Post as one of the most important exhibitions of the new century.

What His Art is About

Chéri Samba's paintings often highlight important issues. He focuses on topics like poverty, corruption, and the challenges of modern life in his culture. He says, "I appeal to people’s consciences…I paint reality even if it’s shocking. I put humor and color into it to attract people."

In his painting J'aime la couleur (I Love Color), he explores ideas about race and self-identity. He believes that people of African descent can strengthen their communities by sharing and recreating a common identity. He often paints himself in the middle of his artworks, using his own image to comment on society.

Artists Like Chéri Samba

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