Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an acrylic painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Chéri Samba. It dates from 2004 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2004, this acrylic on canvas by Congolese artist Chéri Samba is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. The work, left untitled, presents a whimsical scene that juxtaposes everyday tasks with a cosmic setting, inviting viewers to contemplate ordinary concerns in an extraordinary environment.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a figure in a bright red space suit crouching beside a massive rocket engine, holding a blue bucket and a lantern‑bearing bucket as if drawing water from the machinery. A caption across the top references a "water problem" in space, blending scientific imagery with a mundane domestic issue to comment on resource scarcity and human adaptation.
Technique & Style
Executed in acrylic, the painting employs flat, vivid color fields and crisp outlines characteristic of Samba’s narrative style. The stark black background punctuated by white stars creates a deep‑space ambience, while the bold, cartoon‑like figures foreground the scene, emphasizing both humor and social commentary through a graphic, accessible visual language.
History & Provenance
After its completion in 2004, the canvas entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it remains on display. The acquisition reflects MoMA’s interest in contemporary African artists who merge popular culture, political satire, and personal storytelling within a global art context.
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.
