Sammy Baloji
Since 2005, Sammy Baloji has been exploring the memory and history of the Democratic Republic of Congo. His work is an ongoing research on the cultural, architectural and industrial heritage of the Katanga region, as well as a questioning of the impact of Belgian colonization. His use of photographic archives allows him to manipulate time and space, comparing ancient colonial narratives with contemporary economic imperialism. His video works, installations and photographic series highlight how identities are shaped, transformed, perverted and reinvented. His critical view of contemporary societies is a warning about how cultural clichés continue to shape collective memories and thus allow social and political power games to continue to dictate human behaviour.
He started in September 2019 a PhD in Artistic Research titled “Contemporary Kasala and Lukasa: towards a Reconfiguration of Identity and Geopolitics” at Sint Lucas Antwerpen. A Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, he has received numerous awards, distinctions and fellowships including the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. In 2019-2020, he was a resident at the Académie de France à Rome – Villa Médicis. Sammy Baloji co-founded in 2008 the Rencontres Picha/Biennale de Lubumbashi.
His recent solo exhibitions include Kunsthal Extra City, Antwerp (2026); EMST, Athens (2025); Goldsmiths CCA, London (2024); the Gallerie degli Uffizi, Florence, and Beaux-Arts de Paris (2021–22); Lund Konsthall, Lund, and Aarhus Kunsthal, Aarhus (2020); Le Point du Jour, Cherbourg (2019); Framer Framed, Amsterdam (2018); Cultuurcentrum Strombeek, Brussels (2018); The Power Plant, Toronto, WIELS, Brussels (2016–17); and Mu.ZEE, Ostend (2014).
His works are currently presented at the Venice Biennale, both in the International Exhibition and in the Pavilion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This marks his return eleven years after his first participation (2015). He has also participated in the Venice Architecture Biennale (2023), the Biennale of Sydney (2020), documenta 14 (2017), the Lyon Biennale (2015), and the Photoquai Festival at the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris (2015).
Upcoming: Les Rencontres de la photographie, Arles (July 2026); a solo exhibition at the Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus (September 2026); a group exhibition at the Museo delle Civiltà, Rome (December 2026). In 2027, his work will be presented at the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zurich; the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), Montreal; and the Vienna Secession, Vienna.