Cheik Ledy

Cheik Ndoluvualu, called Cheik Ledy (1962–1997), was a Congolese artist. He was born in Kinto M’Vuila, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Life and career Cheik Ledy was apprenticed to his elder brother, sign painter Chéri Samba, after leaving school in 1977, and worked as Samba's assistant for 10 years in his Kinshasa studio. Like Samba, Ledy’s paintings comment on social and political issues of his day. His more controversial work included sign paintings on condom use and labour. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1997 in Kinshasa.

Style and themes Ledy's paintings often depict caricatures using bright colors. He worked in the style of sign painting and used French and Lingala texts. Notable works include "Non comprendre" (I Do Not Understand) (1995), "Arrosage" (Watering) (1995), "Absence de morale" (Moral Absence) (1990).

Exhibitions JAPANCONGO Garage Center of Contemporary Culture, Moscow, Russia Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge MAMCO- Musée d’art modern et contemporain, Geneva, Switzerland Contemporary African Art Collection- 1990, Jean Pigozzi