Sammy Baloji on founding Lubumbashi Biennale as survival strategy amid colonial legacies

In 2008, artist Sammy Baloji established the Lubumbashi Biennale to combat cultural isolation in the mining area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Baloji, who works out of Brussels and Lubumbashi, utilizes photography to reinterpret colonial archives, delving into the history of Congo. The sixth iteration of the biennale took place in the winter of 2019, drawing inspiration from Baloji's upbringing in a mining town. He earned his degree from the University of Lubumbashi in 2004 and has documented cultural events at the Institut Français. His inaugural exhibition in Europe was held in Brussels in 2006, followed by another in Paris in 2007. The biennale thrives on collective efforts without government backing, with Baloji partnering with groups like ruangrupa and Njelele Art Station. His solo show, Kasala, is on display at Galerie Imane Farès in Paris until 6 March 2021.