The exhibition by Sammy Baloji at Goldsmiths CCA, running until January 12, 2025, invites visitors to immerse themselves in the intricate layers of colonial history and its contemporary repercussions. A Congolese artist, Sammy Baloji presents a fascinating visual and conceptual narrative, intertwining tropical architecture, natural resource extraction, ecology, and the echoes of Belgian Art Nouveau.
An Exhibition Between Memory and Modernity
The exhibition features two newly commissioned works alongside recent creations being shown in the UK for the first time. It delves into multiple facets of Sammy Baloji’s artistic research, shedding light on themes like climate change, resource extraction, and the remnants of colonialism.
On the first floor, the film Aequare. The Future That Never Was (2023) immerses viewers in the tropical forest surrounding Yangambi. The second-largest tropical forest in the world, this region of Congo plays a central role in regenerating the planet’s atmosphere. However, Baloji reveals how this vital ecosystem is compromised by imperial networks and the imbalances they perpetuate. The film juxtaposes archival colonial images of a climate study center with contemporary footage, complemented by an immersive soundtrack. This montage offers a sharp critique of science in service of capitalism and colonialism.
Between Extraction and Aesthetics: A Critical Vision
A unique commission addresses the relationship between resource extraction and Belgian Art Nouveau, referred to at the time as “Congo Style.” This artistic movement incorporated Congolese motifs and materials, reflecting the dynamics of cultural and economic appropriation. This installation juxtaposes the aesthetic practices of the era with their material impact on Congolese territory.
The installation ...and to those North Sea waves whispering sunken stories (II) features a terrarium containing tropical plants, accompanied by an audio recording of Albert Kudjabo’s voice, a Congolese soldier captured during World War I. This setup materializes echoes of a history often overshadowed by dominant European narratives.
Katanga: At the Core of Sammy Baloji’s Research
The basement galleries showcase key works on the cultural, architectural, and industrial heritage of Katanga, a region rich in natural resources yet marked by exploitation.
With Shinkolobwe’s Abstraction (2022), a series of 15 screenprints, Baloji transforms geological studies into colorful abstract forms superimposed on images of nuclear explosions. This work highlights how Shinkolobwe Mine, the world’s primary source of uranium, became a strategic asset for major powers during the Cold War.
Tales of the Copper Cross Garden (2017), a 43-minute video, explores the links between colonialism, the Catholic Church, and Katanga’s local culture. Baloji depicts how missionaries, while exploiting local copper, sought to claim the souls of choir children, symbolized by copper crosses held close to their hearts.
Sammy Baloji: An Artist and Visual Historian
Since 2005, Sammy Baloji has developed an artistic practice exploring the memory and history of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Baloji’s work draws on photographic archives, which he manipulates to juxtapose colonial narratives of the past with contemporary imperialist dynamics. This approach sheds light on how cultural clichés continue to shape collective memories and reinforce current power relations.
For Sammy Baloji, studying colonialism is not about nostalgia or exploring a frozen past. Instead, he examines how this system persists in new forms. Baloji has received numerous accolades, including the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and support from prestigious programs such as the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. He is also co-founder of Rencontres Picha/Lubumbashi Biennale, reflecting his commitment to the Congolese art scene.
His work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions and events worldwide, including the São Paulo Biennial (2023), Sharjah Biennial (2023), and documenta 14 (2017). These exhibitions confirm his status as a key figure in contemporary African art.
Sammy Baloji’s exhibition at Goldsmiths CCA invites reflection on the power dynamics that shaped colonial history and continue to influence the present. Through immersive installations and complex visual narratives, Sammy Baloji doesn’t just revisit history; he offers a committed and contemporary critique of the systems structuring our societies.