THONTON KABEYA

(b. 1983 Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo)

Thonton Kabeya captures the essence of African cosmopolitanism through his constructions of contemporary urban life in paint and sculpted canvas. Having travelled across the African continent extensively, living and working as an artist between Senegal, Paris and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kabeya has been settled in Johannesburg since 2014. Kabeya challenges the medium of paint and canvas, pursuing new and experimental ways to create texture, depth and balance of colour. He glues layers of canvas together which he then cuts, carves and sculpts before painting. The works are finished with transfers of ink from newspaper, carefully positioned to indicate the folds of moving fabric, and the application of a deep brown walnut powder (an old method of staining wooden furniture) to render skin, as well as balance the tonality of the work. 

Inspired by Congolese architecture and design, as well as its Rumba dance, Kabeya's practice seeks balance in composition, line and colour. In his three-dimensional work, he creates portraits of people and cities alike: bustling street scenes and tender exchanges between individuals. His recent works have focused on the Rumba, inspired by the culture around this phenomenon. Rumba music and dance originated primarily in Congo, then developed further in Cuba and Colombia, Cuba having an important historical link to Africa through the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Rumba gained enormous popularity in the rest of the world after Cuban Independence in 1960; it was recently added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS 

2023  

FNB Art Joburg, with Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

Introspect, Wits Art Museum, Johannesburg, South Africa

2022   

A Sunny Day, Everard Read Franschhoek, South Africa 

Pasada, Everard Read Johannesburg, South Africa

La Rumba Rosa 2, Bonne Espérance Gallery, Paris, France

2021  

La Rumba Rosa, One Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2019  

Galerie Bilembo, Kinshasa, Congo

2018  

ODA Gallery, Franschhoek, South Africa 

2017  

ODA Gallery, Franschhoek, South Africa                                                        

2015  

Cry Smile Dream, S Art Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa  

2014  

New Voices, Lizamore and Associates Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa  

2010  

Médiathèque Woluwe, st Pierre, Bruxelles, Belgium 

Galerie dialogue, National Museum of Lubumbashi, Congo

2009  

Métamorphose, Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, France   

Metamorphose, Arte kalao galeria, Bilbao, Spain   

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

Dakar Biennale, Dakar, Senegal

2023  

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2022  

Spring, group show, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

UCCLE / Brussels, Belgium

Winter, Everard Read, London, UK

2021  

A Cloud, Gallery 2, Johannesburg, South Africa

Salon Globalisto, Bonne Esperance Gallery, Paris, France

Work on Paper, Art voice Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia       

2017   

The Gravity of Things, Artium Basque Museum Centre of Contemporary Art of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain 

2012  

Institut Francais of Lubumbashi, Congo 

2008  

Vision for Africa, Archelle, Germany

Midi Libre, Mas de grille, Montpellier, France 

Rencontres Picha Biennale De Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Congo 

Dakar Biennale (Off Biennale), Gallery L. S. Senghor, Dakar, Senegal

2007   

Yambi, Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art (MAMAC), Liège, Belgium

Burogest, Business Centre, Namur, Belgium 

French institute, Congo 

2006   

Memling Hotel, Kinshasa, Condo

Belgium Consulate, Congo 

National Museum of Lubumbashi, Congo

2005   

French institute of Lubumbashi, Congo 

National Museum of Lubumbashi, Congo

RESIDENCIES   

2024    Noldor Artist Residency, Accra, Ghana

2022    Everard Read at Leeu Estates, Franschhoek, South Africa

2014    Thupelo Workshop, Prince Albert, South Africa  

2013    Institut Francais of Lubumbashi, Workshop, Congo 

2010    Galerie d’art contemporain Workshop, Musée de Lubumbashi, Congo 

2009    Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, France 

2008    Village des arts, Sénégal  

2006    The fine art of Kinshasa Workshop, Centre Wallonie Bruxelles, Kinshasa, Congo  

2003    Ecole de beaux arts, Workshop, Lubumbashi, Congo 

COLLECTIONS  

University of South Africa Art Collection, Pretoria 

Artium Basque Museum Center of Contemporary Art of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain 

George Forest Art Collection, Lubumbashi 

Sanaa Art Collection, Johannesburg

Erick Vellard Art Collection, Paris 

AWARDS

2024   Ampersand Fellowship Award (Residency), New York, USA

2006   UNIADS Award 

   Belgium Council Award