The Jean Pigozzi African Art Collection

Kura Shomali

Born in 1979 in Kananga, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lives and works in Kinsahasa.

In 2001, Kura Shomali interrupted his medical studies, joined the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa and participates in the creation of the EZA possible. He creates works on paper in which he combines with bold charcoal, ballpoint pen, gouache, ink, marker and collage that give a unique texture and appearance to his works. His first drawings, made ​​in a sort of "emergency" inspired by the bubbling of Kinshasa and magazines that circulate from hand to hand. His work is a reflection of the chaotic megalopolis where he lives and he "digests", as he explains himself. In his latest works, Kura Shomali appropriates images known photographers of the continent (Samuel Fosso, Sammy Balog, etc..).

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2013

The power of paper, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK

2012

Kura Shomali: Cassius Clay Ali Boom Boom Ye, Jack Bell Gallery, London, UK

2011

Riad Al Maaden, Magnin-A, Marrakech, Morocco

JapanCongo, "Double regard de Carsten Höller sur la collection de Jean Pigozzi", Le Magasin, Grenoble, France Feb 6 - Apr 24 2011 and Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Moscow, Russia

Group Show with Chéri Samba, Billie Zangewa…, Galerie Hussenot & Magnin-A, Paris, France

2010

African Stories, Magnin-A, Ancienne Banque du Maroc, Marrakech, Morocco

Emerging Art from Kinshasa, with Pierre Bodo, Amani Bodo…, Jack Bell Gallery, Londres, UK

2009

1,2,3 BAMAKO, Centre culturel français, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

2008

Biso Nyoso, avec le collectif Eza Possibles, exhibition organized on the ocasion of the 25th anniverary of the Festival des francophonies, Limousin, France

2007

Congo contemporain, Monos Art Gallery, Festival Yambi, Brussels, Belgium

Freddy Tsimba et Kura Shomali, Château Malou, Festival Yambi Brussels, Belgium

Congo en marche, Le Botanique, Festival Yambi, Brussels, Belgium

2006/2007

Artiste et organisateur de la troisième édition du Festival de scénographies urbaines, partenariat avec le collectifs Eza possibles et Sc'urk, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

2006

Exposition de dessins, Théâtre royal flamand (KVS), Brussels, Belgium

Création d'une œuvre performative au sein du collectif éphémère Mkara kara, collectif créé entre les étudiants artistes de Kinshasa et de Strasbourg au sein de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

2005

Réalisation d'une fresque murale avec Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo, Atelier du Plateau, Paris, France

Africa in part, with Fabien Verschaere, Musée de l'objet, Blois, Tours, France

2004

Exposition de la jeune création, Centre culturel français de Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

2003

Bong di ball Kinshasa Wenze Wenze, installation, Exposition provocatrice, Académie des Beaux-Arts, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Congo