
Unique Vintage Print
5,5 x 3,5 inches

Unique Vintage Print
5,5 x 3,5 inches

Unique Vintage Print
5,5 x 3,5 inches

Unique Vintage Print
3,4 x 4,5 inches

Unique Vintage Print
6.8 x 5 inches





Archival Fine Art Free acid Cotton
30 x 45 cm


Gelatin silver print
20 x 13,7 in

Baryté Agfa
27 x 39 cm


Gelatin silver print
14,5 x 14,5 in

Archival Fine art free acid cotton
31 x 30 cm


Tirage Argentique Baryté Agfa
28,5 x 29 cm

Tirage Argentique Baryté agfa
30 x 29,5 cm

Tirage Argentique Baryté agfa
30,5 x 30 cm

Baryté ilford
40,5 x 58,5 cm

Archival Fine art free acid cotton
31 x 30 cm

Archival Fine art free acid cotton
31 x 30 cm


inkjet pigment ink archival on fine art free acid cotton
27 x 40 cm
Depara came to photography almost by accident. To record his wedding in 1950 he bought himself a small Adox camera—after which he never ceased to seek out new subjects for his lens. Settling in Kinshasa in 1951, Depara first combined his photography with various small jobs: repairing bicycles and cameras, dealing in scrap metal. In 1954 the celebrated Zairian singer Franco invited him to become his official photographer, launching Depara’s career as a chronicler of Kinshasa social life in the era when the Rumba and the Cha Cha defined the city’s rhythm. He set up a studio under the name Jean Whisky Depara and spent his days in bars like the Kwist, the OK Bar, or the Sarma Congo. At night he hung out at such clubs as the Afro Mogenbo, the Champs-Elysées, the DjamboDjambu, the Oui, the Fifi, the Show Boat. Night owls particularly fascinated him and with his flash Depara captured an Africa stripped of conventional social codes. Interracial couples, hipsters, and those who in imitation of James Dean chose to “Live fast, die young” became both his subjects and his clients.
Among Depara’s themes in his photographs are the Miziki who have such a powerful role in Kinshasa society. These associations of women were rooted in pre-independence traditions, and a Moziki (singular form of Miziki) could act as a banker within her social circle. In the 1950s and 1960s, Miziki associations took such names as La Pause and La Mode, and commissioned famous bands to compose songs for their annual events.
Depara died leaving his archive of hundreds negatives untitled; with the permission of the artist’s family, his close friend Oscar Mbemba has titled the works in the spirit of this era.
NEWS
PUBLICATIONS

Steve Bandoma,
Bela,
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Monsengo Shula,
Pathy Tshindele,
Beauté Congo - 1926-2015 - Congo Kitoko
-
Author : Textes de Thomas Bayet, In Koli Jean Bofane, Michael De Plaen, Frédéric Lomami Haffner, Nancy Rose Hunt, Jean-Christophe Lanquetin, Elikia M'Bokolo, André Magnin, Dominique Malaquais, Pedro Monaville, Bob W. White et entretiens avec de nombreux artistes
Editor : Édition Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, Paris
2015
PRESS
Mama Casset,
Jean Depara,
Omar Victor Diop,
Malick Sidibé
La Gacilly : Un été africain en photos
Paris Match
-
By Corinne Thorillon
Mama Casset,
Jean Depara,
Seydou Keïta,
Malick Sidibé
L'Afrique vue de l'intérieur au festival photo de La Gacilly
France Info, Culture Box
Jean Depara,
Omar Victor Diop,
Seydou Keïta,
Malick Sidibé
L'Afrique prend la pose au festival photo La Gacilly 2017
France Info
-
By Laurent Filippi
Jean Depara,
Seydou Keïta
Photographie et automobile à la Fondation Cartier
Madame Figaro
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By Anne-Claire Meffre
Jean Depara,
Seydou Keïta,
Malick Sidibé
"Autophoto", une liaison artistique exposée à la Fondation Cartier
RFI
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By Siegfried Forster
Steve Bandoma,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Omar Victor Diop,
Romuald Hazoumè,
Seydou Keïta,
André Magnin,
Abu Bakarr Mansaray,
JP Mika,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Pathy Tshindele
Marché de l'art : voici l'Afrique contemporaine
Le Huffington Post
-
By Jérôme Stern
Steve Bandoma,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Omar Victor Diop,
Romuald Hazoumè,
Seydou Keïta,
JP Mika,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Pathy Tshindele
Marché de l'art: voici l'Afrique contemporaine
Huffington Post
-
By Jérôme Stern
Jean Depara
Tous les Portrait(s) sont à Vichy
Photo Magazine
-
By Alexis Sciard
Jean Depara
4ème Edition du Festival Portraits, à Vichy, du 10 juin au 4 septembre
Publikart
-
By Bénédicte de Loriol
Pierre Bodo,
Frédéric Bruly Bouabré,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Romuald Hazoumè,
Seydou Keïta,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
George Lilanga,
Gonçalo Mabunda,
JP Mika,
J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere,
Malick Sidibé
Arts : les 100 Africains les mieux cotés
Jeune Afrique
Steve Bandoma,
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Monsengo Shula
Fondation cartier traces the creative spirit of the democratic republic of the Congo
Designboom
-
By Suhei Senda
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke
Congo, ce laboratoire de l'impossible
L'Officiel Art
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By William Massey
Bela,
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
Moke,
Monsengo Shula
On Art In Africa by André Magnin
Crash
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By Armelle Leturcq
Jean Depara,
Seydou Keïta,
J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere
Paris Photo 2015 : du grand classique
Culture Box
-
By Valérie Oddos
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko
Beauté Congo 1926-2015, Congo Kitoko : la dernière expo de la Fondation Cartier à ne pas manquer !
Artsper blog
-
By Hélène Planquelle
Steve Bandoma,
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Monsengo Shula
La beauté du Congo se dévoile à Paris
Sept Info
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By Sylvie Rantrua
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Ambroise Ngaimoko
Congo Power
Diptyk
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By Marie Moignard
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke
Le Congo en beauté à la fondation Cartier
Libération_Bondy blog
-
By Abdoulaye Gassama
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Monsengo Shula
La rumba, bande-originale des mutations de la société congolaise
Le Monde
-
By Véronique Mortaigne
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Moke
Explosión de belleza en Kinshasa : 90 años de arte congoleño
El País
-
By Beatriz Leal Riesco
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki
Beauté Congo _ 1926-2015
Télérama
-
By Y. Y.
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko
Beauté Congo : loin des clichés, la fabuleuse créativité de l'Afrique
France TV1ère Outre-Mer
-
By Philippe Triay
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
JP Mika,
Moke
Trésors congolais
Marianne
-
By Frédérique Briard
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Moke
La beauté Congo s'exhibe à la Fondation Cartier
L'Humanité
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By Diémé-Sagna Yancouba
Steve Bandoma,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Kura Shomali ,
Monsengo Shula,
Pathy Tshindele
A Paris, le Congo en toute liberté
Le Temps
-
By Laurent Wolf
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika
Les artistes africains contemporains prêts à conquérir le monde
Le Parisien
-
By Antoine Froidefond
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara
Fondation Cartier's showcase of Congolese art
Financial Times
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
JP Mika,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Pathy Tshindele
París repasa la transformación artística del Congo
El Mundo
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Albert Lubaki
Total CONGO
Marie-Claire
-
By Natacha Wolinski
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Monsengo Shula
Expo : oh le beau Congo !
Huffington Post
-
By Jérôme Stern.
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Monsengo Shula
Showcasing Congolese Art
International New-York Times
-
By Rachel Donadio
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
Moke,
Monsengo Shula
De la brousse à la ville, la grande mutation des artistes congolais
La Croix
-
By Sabine Gignoux
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Monsengo Shula,
Pathy Tshindele
90 ans d'art congolais à Paris : quels talents !
Gala
-
By Juliette Serfati
Steve Bandoma,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Monsengo Shula
Congo Vision: A Homeland As Its Artists Render It
The New-York Times
-
By Rachel Donadio
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Kura Shomali ,
Pathy Tshindele
Un certain regard
Jeune Afrique
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By Séverine Kodjo Grandvaux
Steve Bandoma,
Bela,
Pierre Bodo,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Monsengo Shula,
Pathy Tshindele
De la colonie belge à la RDC, splendeur de l'art congolais
Le Monde
-
By Philippe Dagen
Steve Bandoma,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Monsengo Shula
Auf der wahren Karte der Welt liegt Europa unten
Die Welt
-
By Von Johannes Wetzel
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Monsengo Shula,
Pathy Tshindele
L'art contemporain en Afrique. Voyez Beauté Congo (1926-2015), à la Fondation Cartier
Evous
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By André Balbo
Steve Bandoma,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko
Beauté Congo : le dynamisme de l'art congolais
TV5 Monde
-
By Amélie Revert
Steve Bandoma,
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Pathy Tshindele
La vitalité des artistes du Congo embrase la Fondation Cartier
Quotidien de l'art
-
By Roxana Azimi
Steve Bandoma,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
JP Mika
Expo Congo à gogo
Madame Figaro
Steve Bandoma,
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Monsengo Shula
On se laisse emporter par
ELLE
-
By Caroline Six
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Monsengo Shula
Congolese Art in Full Color
The Wall Street Journal
-
By Tobias Grey
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Kiripi Katembo,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Kura Shomali ,
Pathy Tshindele
Afrique-Art contemporain : passion Congo
Le Point Afrique
-
By Valérie Marin la Meslée
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Kura Shomali ,
Pathy Tshindele
Passion Congo
Le Point
-
By Valérie Marin La Meslée
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Chéri Chérin,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Albert Lubaki,
Antoinette Lubaki,
JP Mika,
Moke,
Ambroise Ngaimoko,
Kura Shomali ,
Monsengo Shula,
Pathy Tshindele
Beauté Congo
The Wall Street International Online
Bela,
Chéri Samba,
Jean Depara,
Bodys Isek Kingelez,
Antoinette Lubaki,
Albert Lubaki
Kinshasa, le grand atelier
Art Passions
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By Bérénice Geoffroy Schneiter
Born in 1928, Kboklolo, Angola
Died in 1997, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where he lived and worked