In his practice, Sammy Baloji explores how colonial history and urban planning shape identities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His work reveals hidden histories of segregation, labor exploitation, and resource extraction, particularly in Lubumbashi, a city designed to separate white and Black communities. Through archival research, photography, and the Lubumbashi Biennale, he transforms the city into an open-air museum, fostering local artistic voices. His research also examines how Congolese heritage is embedded in European architecture and artistic movements, challenging Western epistemologies. Baloji’s work goes beyond critique, creating platforms for new artistic and intellectual exchanges across Africa and globally.
“The city itself is a mark of transposed colonial power. How do we reclaim and reappropriate our own histories in spaces that were never designed for us?”
— Sammy Baloji