Imagine walking down a busy street and seeing a painting that not only catches your eye but actually speaks to you. That's the magic of Chéri Samba's art. Born in 1956 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Samba has become one of Africa's most famous artists by creating colorful paintings that tell stories about life, society, and culture.
Early Strokes of Inspiration
Emerging as the eldest son in a large family, he embarked on a journey filled with creativity and cultural significance. His father, a blacksmith who made hunting rifles, had a different plan for his son - to help him at the forge after school. However, Samba's passion was in the art world.
In 1972, at the age of 16, Samba made a bold decision that would shape his future. He left his village and school behind, venturing into the bustling capital of Kinshasa.
When Samba first set foot in Kinshasa, he encountered difficulties as he attempted to secure a job in the urban landscape. This experience served as the inspiration behind the painting "L'espoir fait vivre" (Hope Keeps You Going) in 1989, reflecting the obstacles and successes he faced along his path.
The Birth of a Unique Style
In 1975, while working as a billboard painter and comic strip artist, he merged the practices of both fields. He revolutionised his art by incorporating 'word bubbles,' a concept borrowed from comics. This innovative addition enabled him to infuse storytelling and commentary into his works, shaping his distinctive style.
This innovative approach was born from a simple observation. Samba noticed that people would often walk his past paintings, barely glancing at them. He thought,
"If I added a bit of text, people would have to stop and take time to read it, to get more into the painting and admire it."
This insight led to what he called the 'Samba signature,' a fusion of word and image that would become his trademark.
Art That Reflects Realities
In the early 1980s, Samba began signing his works as "Chéri Samba: Artiste Populaire," a title that reflected his growing popularity and his commitment to creating art for the people.
His paintings of this period offer a vivid commentary on the social, political, economic, and cultural realities of Zaïre (now Democratic Republic of Congo), exposing all facets of everyday life in Kinshasa. His canvases transformed into mirrors, reflecting customs, sexuality, illness, inequality, and corruption.
Samba endeavored to shake minds free from isolation, appealing to their collective consciousness. As he explained,
“My painting is concerned with people’s lives. I’m not interested in myths or beliefs. That’s not my goal. I want to change our mentality that keeps us isolated from the world. I appeal to people’s consciences. Artists must make people think.”
Becoming a World-Famous Artist
Samba's breakthrough on the international stage came with the exhibition "Les Magiciens de la Terre" at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris in 1989. This exposure catapulted him to global recognition, his narrative-rich canvases found a home in prestigious collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His participation in the 2007 Venice Biennale further underscored his stature as an artistic luminary, capturing the essence of life in Africa and the modern world.
The Artist as the Star
As the 1980s transitioned into the late years, Samba took center stage —to become the recurrent subject of his works. Not as an act of narcissism but as an artistic declaration, he became the protagonist of his own narrative. Much like an anchor on a news broadcast, he inserted himself into his creations, reporting on the experience of being a successful African artist on the global stage. His rationale was straightforward:
"Since I am the one who paints, these are my ideas, I decide on the subject, I decide on the comments... so why put someone else's face instead of mine? "
The intersection of personal history with broader sociopolitical themes became his canvas, a fertile ground for challenging norms and reimagining artistic discourse.
From defending the place of Congolese populaire painting as art in "Une peinture à défendre" (A Painting to Defend, 1993) to probing the mechanisms of art market valuation in "Le copiste" (The Copier, 1990) and "Pourquoi ai-je signé un contrat?" (Why Did I Sign a Contract?, 1990), Samba's artistry embarked on a dialogue of perpetual inquiry.
The Undisciplinable Hero
Samba embraces an intriguing identity as an "undisciplinable hero," which gives us a captivating glimpse into his unique artistic method. His words and images intertwine, unraveling the intricate layers of his paintings. Through this, he guides us toward what seems like a solitary interpretation, an artful move that shields his work from subversive meanings and conceals his political engagement. It's a deliberate strategy that lets him take charge of the narrative about his life and creations, while also keeping outside interpretations at bay.
At the heart of his approach is a drive to prevent predictable interpretations from scholars and curators. With this skillful manipulation, Samba firmly holds onto his artistic legacy, ensuring it remains untouched by external narratives that could distort its true essence.
A Mirror to Society
Throughout his artistic evolution, Chéri Samba has remained a keen observer of life's intricacies. His works are both a reflection of daily life and a mirror to society's pressing questions, communicated with humor and an unapologetic quest for truth. His legacy is a testimony to the power of art—the art that transcends boundaries, reshapes perceptions, and whispers stories that echo through the corridors of history.
