Cinga Samson (born 1986) is a South African artist known for his figurative oil paintings of large-scale group scenes and self-portraits. Samson's work is most recognizable for his use of a dark palette, depictions of figures with pupil-less eyes, and formal, ceremonious poses.
Samson has had solo exhibitions in London, New York City and Cape Town, and his work has been included in group shows in Amsterdam, Berlin, Minneapolis, Norway, Vermont, Paris and Mexico.
He currently resides in Cape Town. Samson is represented by White Cube.
Biography Samson was born in Khayelitsha, Cape Town in 1986 and grew up between eThembeni in the rural Eastern Cape and Cape Town in the Western Cape. Shortly after finishing high school in eThembeni, Samson moved to Khayelitsha, a township outside of Cape Town.
Start in Art He first joined the art studio Isibane Creative Arts, a shared artist space in Khayelitsha where he worked alongside three older artists: Gerald Tabata, Xolile Mtakatya and Luthando Laphuwano. Samson could not always afford canvases, so he would resort to using scavenged materials. His first sale was a result of this practice. Samson created a 2 x 1.5-meter frame for a piece of Masonite board. He then painted the large canvas. The piece was noticed and purchased by art consultant Jeanetta Blignaut.
Education Samson attended the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography, in Stellenbosch, Western Cape where he studied a one-year course in commercial photography.
White Cube Samson signed with a British art dealership named White Cube in 2021. White Cube is headquartered in London. The gallery has aided in selling his pieces since the signing. He is still signed and associated with White Cube today.
Solo exhibitions +EXHIBITION TITLEYEARVENUELOCATIONUkuphuthelwa2026White CubeNew York, USAUkhe Nje Wasondela, Ndakuphosa Kulo Mlambo2023-24Norval FoundationCape Town, South AfricaNzulu Yemfihlakalo2023White CubeLondon, UKIyabanda Intsimbi2021FLAG Art FoundationNew York, USAAmanda Akafani, Afana Ngeentshebe Zodwa2020Perrotin GalleryNew York, USANaluLwandle, NaliKhaya2019blank projectsCape Town, South AfricaUmthamo (with Nicholas Hlobo)2018Maitland InstituteCape Town, South AfricaSafari Fantasy2017blank projectsCape Town, South AfricaUbugqoboka Magqoboka2016blank projectsCape Town, South AfricaThirty Pieces of Silver2015blank projectsCape Town, South AfricaRusting Iron2011AVA GalleryCape Town, South Africa
Current Studio Samson currently works in his own art studio. The studio was converted from an industrial building in Cape Town, South Africa.
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