Art Forum

Reading Time: 7 minutesChéri Samba, born 1956 in Democratic Republic of Congo, transforms billboard painting techniques into internationally celebrated contemporary art that functions as visual journalism. Co-founding the Popular Painting movement in 1970s Kinshasa alongside Moké and Pierre Bodo, Samba developed his signature style combining vibrant imagery with text in French and Lingala using comic-strip word bubbles. His provocative works address AIDS, corruption, social inequality, and art world hypocrisy with humor and unflinching honesty. With pieces in MoMA and Centre Pompidou collections and an auction record of $139,992 USD for “Le seul et unique devoir sacré d’un enfant,” Samba’s market demonstrates growing collector recognition of African artists who center African perspectives on global issues.