Kura Shomali: Cassius Clay Ali Boom Boom Ye

Jack Bell Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new work by Kura Shomali.

Shomali describes his work as a way of 'digesting' the megalopolis of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. In his most recent works, the artist appropriates well-known images by African photographers such as Seydou Keita, Samual Fosso, Sammy Baloji, Malick Sidibe and Depara. Shomali combines charcoal, ballpoint pen, gouache, ink, felt, glitter and collage to give these works a unique texture. His works have a sense of urgency, inspired by the chaos of daily life and imagery from the advertising, newspapers and magazines that make up Kinshasa’s street culture.

Shomali’s recent exhibitions include African Stories at Museum of Marrakech, Morocco, and JapanCongo: Works from the Pigozzi Collection at Magasin Grenoble, France. Several works will be included in the Saatchi Gallery’s upcoming exhibition of works on paper.

Shomali was born in 1979 in Kananga, Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2001 he received a placement at the Academie des Beaux Arts, Kinshasa, where he lives and works. This will be his first exhibition in London. The Jack Bell Gallery opened in February 2010. The focus of the gallery is to exhibit, represent and champion artists from all over the world.