Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by the Art Brut artist Chéri Samba. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1990 painting by Chéri Samba, executed in alkyd enamel and glitter paint on canvas. Comprising four vibrant, bustling scenes, the work is characterized by its eclectic visual language and pervasive text elements.
Subject & Meaning
The painting's quadrants depict disparate scenes: a man beside a large pink refrigerator with a broom, a group near a plane labeled 'Comité Local des Quémandeurs', a reclining woman under a blue sheet, and a close-up of a tearful face. These images, intertwined with bilingual text (French and local dialects) in speech bubbles and captions, allude to narratives of struggle and humor, with the fridge scene potentially satirizing food scarcity.
Technique & Style
Samba employs a distinctive technique, combining alkyd enamel's durability with the decorative flair of glitter paint. The result is a visually striking, busy composition that reflects the artist's penchant for blending the serious with the whimsical.
History & Provenance
Created in 1990, the painting is part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection. Its inclusion highlights the institution's recognition of Samba's contribution to contemporary African art.
Context
Untitled reflects Samba's approach to addressing socio-economic realities through a unique blend of satire, storytelling, and visual spectacle, characteristic of his genre scenes.
Legacy
As a work by Chéri Samba, 'Untitled' contributes to the global visibility of African contemporary art, showcasing the artist's ability to convey complex themes through accessible, albeit complex, imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Chéri Samba or Samba wa Mbimba N’zingo Nuni Masi Ndo Mbasi is a Congolese painter from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
