At Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Zumba Luzamba turns fashion into a powerful statement, spotlighting Congolese sapeurs whose style masks deeper stories of resistance and identity.
Congolese artist Zumba Luzamba’s latest exhibition, “Angalia Kwa Karibu (Look Close)” at London’s Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, explores the fashion subculture of the sapeurs. His paintings showcase impeccably dressed men in colorful suits, but it’s their subtle gestures and nuanced expressions that hint at more complex narratives.
In the 1960s and ’70s, under President Mobutu’s rule, Western suits were banned in Congo. Fashion became an unlikely symbol of quiet rebellion, with sapeurs using sartorial elegance to reclaim their dignity and freedom. Luzamba remarks, “Wearing a suit and tie became an act of subtle resistance, a reclaiming of dignity and freedom.”
Titles in Luzamba’s show are in Swahili, referencing cultural identities and social expectations. For example, “Bakolo tirran” depicts respected community figures, while “Mulambo (black tax 2)” addresses the pressure successful Black individuals face in financially supporting their families. Through fashion imagery, Luzamba reveals layered discussions around migration, identity, and communal ties, inviting a closer, more critical view of Congolese culture.
Exhibition Detail
Exhibition: Angalia Kwa Karibu (Look Close) by Zumba Luzamba
Dates: May 1 – 31, 2025
Location: Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, 36 Tanner Street, London SE1 3LD
