Chilling boy | Mixed media on canvas | 135cm x 125cm.
JOEL MAMBOKA
JOEL MAMBOKA N'KUMU (b. 1990) is a mixed media artist who grew up in Kinshasha in the Democratic Republic of Congo and now lives and works in Cape Town.
He uses oil paint, fabrics and found objects to create stories that exhibit a dynamic exploration of identity, culture and style that is deeply rooted in African heritage. His portraits often depict individuals in moments of joy, connection or introspection and he often uses vintage wallpaper textures with peeling surfaces and intricate designs to evoke nostalgia and a sense of history.
“My current work is a visual and conceptual exploration of cultural identity, resilience and the transformative power of textiles. Drawing inspiration from Kinshasa’s vibrant patchwork techniques, I aim to create layered compositions that mirror the complexity and diversity of African cultural identities. By blending disparate fabrics, I seek to evoke the interconnected histories and narratives that shape contemporary African experiences.
At the heart of my work lies an investigation into the SAPE movement (La Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes), a phenomenon that celebrates style, individuality and the enduring spirit of post-colonial Congo. Through this lens, I explore how fashion and self-expression become acts of resistance and reclamation. Alongside this, I delve into President Mobutu Sese Seko’s Authenticité policy, which sought to redefine African identity by promoting cultural pride, traditional textiles and attire. These historical and cultural movements provide a rich framework for examining Africa’s textile heritage and its ongoing dialogue with modernity.” – Joel Mamboka, 2025
EDUCATION
2013 BFA Art studio (painting) l’Académie de beaux-art, Kinshasa, DRC.
2009 Diploma ( visual art) Institut de Beaux-Art, Kinshasa, DRC.
ART FAIRS
2025 Atlanta Art Fair Ella West Gallery
2025 Investec Cape Town International Art Fair
2024 Latitudes Art Fair
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 The ilussion of ease, WORLDART, Cape Town
2025 Kizoba zoba Grand Provence Gallery, Franschhoek
2024 Solo exhibition (Johannesburg) with The Gallery at the Steyn City associate with Everard Read and Knysna Fine-Art Gallery.
2023 La sapologie at Youngblood Africa Gallery, Cape Town
2022 Monzele Beauty at Youngblood Africa Gallery, Cape Town
2021 The Last Generation, Youngblood Africa Gallery, Cape Town
2021 Untitled 1, Hilarious Hotel, Cape Town
2020 Untitled2, Cartel Hotel, Cape Town
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Audacity in Motion, Ella West Gallery, North Carolina
2023 Le rendez-vous at Patrick Bongoy Studio, Cape Town
2023 Knysna Fine-Art with Everard read Gallery, Franschhoek
2023 The Stellenbosch art auction, the Woordfees exhibition. @strauss_and_co, @woordfees is curated by Teresa @lizamoregallery.
2023 25th anniversary Exhibition of Knysna Fine-Art.
2023 Season's Greetings, Curated by Teresa Lizamor gallery.
2022 Africa Art Life (Bobu) - Online Gallery, Kenya.
2022 Group Exposition a Art in the yard, Franschhoek
2022 Home is Where the Art is, ZeitzMOCAA
2021 Group Exposition a Young Blood, Cape Town
2020 Group Exposition a l'universite de Stellenbosch
2020 BLK Art House, Online Gallerie, New York
2019 Kwanele Genoeg with Seemah Toefy curated, Cape Town
2019 Emerging Artist Program at ZeitzMOCAA Museum
2018 Emerging Artist Program at Sending Questing Museum, Cape Town
2011 “J'ai un reve” expo, Embassy US, Kinshasa, DRC
2011 “Eau “ ( Competition ART), Mairy Kalamu, Kinshasa, DRC
2011 Essu expo (fair), Académie de beaux- arts, Kinshasa, DRC
2010 50ans d'indépendance du Congo, Académie de beaux-arts, DRC
2008 Journée de la femme, Atelier Innovation,Ymca, Kinshasa, DRC
2007 Francophonie( compétition de la jeunesse), Kinshasa, DRC