Joseph Kinkonda

Place: Kinshasa

Born: 1955

Biography:

Chéri Chérin, also known as Joseph Kinkonda, is a Congolese painter born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1955. He is one of the most prestigious figures in the Kinshasa art scene and is known for his naive style, which he describes as 'painter-journalism'. Chérin is inspired by the daily life and popular culture of Kinshasa, often addressing themes such as politics, society, and humor in his work. He is part of the Kinshasa school, which includes artists like Chéri Samba, Moké, Cheik Ledy, Tshibumba Kanda-Matulu, and Sim Simaro. His paintings are held in several private and public collections, including the Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC) based in Geneva, Switzerland.