Zemba Luzamba, 1973

Zemba Luzamba’s oil paintings depict African figures engaged in contemplative activities or political ritual. His scenes present an elegant façade of leisure and routine, subtly masking the deeper political and historical tensions that inform his work.

Born and raised in the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo, Luzamba grew up witnessing politics unfold in the everyday lives of ordinary people. He attributes the DRC’s 1990s unbanning of the suit and tie — a symbolic gesture toward “democracy” and Western cultural influence — as the moment that awakened the artist within him.

Almost overnight, men proudly wore suits that had long been hidden away. This sartorial revival, linked to La Sape, a subculture of flamboyant, expressive dressing, is reflected in Luzamba’s subject matter and his refined use of paint and color. His artistic development embraces fashion as a form of self-determination, aspiration in the face of poverty, and even defiance against corrupt political systems.

Luzamba studied Fine Art at the Evelyn Hone College of Applied Art in Lusaka, Zambia, graduating in 1994. He has participated in numerous exhibitions, and his work is held in private collections around the world.

source: Nando’s