THE ILLUSION OF EASE

a solo exhibition by Joel Mamboka

5 - 26 February 2026

Joel Mamboka at his studio.

WORLDART is pleased to present The Illusion of Ease, a solo exhibition by Joel Mamboka, on view from 5 to 26 February 2026. In this new body of work, Joel examines what lies beneath images of apparent perfection, asking viewers to consider the labour, discipline, and vulnerability that shape contemporary visual culture.

At the heart of the exhibition is the idea that behind every flawless image lies a history of labour. Through references to the model’s body, the Sapeur’s self-fashioning, and the female body in labour, Joel reveals beauty as a product of endurance, resistance, and economic defiance. In the context of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a Sapeur is a member of La SAPE(Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes): a cultural movement in which individuals invest in elegant dress and refined style as an assertion of dignity, identity, and quiet resistance in the face of social and economic hardship.

By foregrounding these practices, The Illusion of Ease reframes aesthetic refinement not as effortless glamour, but as the transformation of struggle into visual power.

This exhibition affirms Joel’s position as one of the most compelling voices of his generation and invites collectors and audiences to engage with work that is both visually refined and intellectually rigorous. At WORLDART, we are proud to present a solo exhibition that challenges easy consumption and rewards sustained attention.

THE ILLUSION OF EASE, a solo exhibition by Joel Mamboka. Opening 5th February 6-8pm.

WORLDART, 68 Long Street.