Kabú

"His vibrant use of contrasting warm and cool tones creates dynamic compositions, while straight, broken, and undulating lines structure his pieces. His themes delve into identity, spirituality, and cultural preservation, reflecting the complexities of life, death, and the human experience."

MEET

Kabú

Kabú (Zola Pires Daniel), born on 27 November 1981 in Ingombotas, Luanda, is an Angolan visual artist currently pursuing a degree in Visual and Plastic Arts at the University of Luanda. Kabú’s artistic journey began as a child, drawing on notebooks and playing with other children in the traditional game “mamã mandou fazer.” However, it was in 2000 that his artistic talent began to flourish. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he taught himself by copying comic books and magazines, which became his first teachers.

In 2002, he joined the atelier of Master Kabongo, where he was mentored by artists Kalemba and Melo for a year before embarking on a self-taught path. His dedication led him to exhibit his work for the first time in 2003 at Galeria Comercial Espelho da Moda, which also served as a training ground for refining his technique. Kabú later attended the National Institute of Artistic Training (INFA), deepening his technical and theoretical knowledge.

In 2008, Kabú met renowned Angolan artist Guilherme Mampuya, who mentored and encouraged him to hold his first solo exhibition in 2010 at Hotel Alvalade. The two artists collaborated on live paintings during significant events, such as the 6th anniversary of Revista Cara and the Lwini Fund Gala.

Kabú's work is known for its stylised realism, often placing men and women at the centre of his narratives. His vibrant use of contrasting warm and cool tones creates dynamic compositions, while straight, broken, and undulating lines structure his pieces. His themes delve into identity, spirituality, and cultural preservation, reflecting the complexities of life, death, and the human experience.

Collective Exhibitions
2021: Talatona Shopping Gallery
2021: Natalício, SKY Gallery, Kinaxixi
2019: Avenida Shopping Gallery
2019: Banco Económico, promoted by THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE Gallery
2018: Impressão Expressão, Tamar Golan Gallery
2017: Banco Económico, promoted by THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE Gallery
2016: Mangala Eventos Restaurant
2016: Brazilian Cultural Centre, promoted by ENSA-ARTE
2015: A Face da Arte Angolana, Tamar Golan Gallery
2014: HTCA, with Mumpasi Meso
2012: Siexpo, ENSA-ARTE Competition
2005: Trópico Hotel Gallery, Celamar Cooparte Project

Solo Exhibitions
2017: Eco dos Heróis, Tamar Golan Gallery
2015: HTCA
2015: Cultura Vista por Dentro, Tamar Golan Gallery
2011: Hotel Baía
2010: Hotel Alvalade
2010: Live painting, Revista Cara anniversary, Belas Shopping

Awards
2024: Winner of the Contemporary Art Exhibition celebrating the Centenary of Agostinho André Mendes de Carvalho (Uanhenga Xitu), Memorial Dr. António Agostinho Neto.

Kabú continues to develop his craft, producing works that embody the richness of Angolan culture while exploring universal themes through his distinctive artistic lens.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

The Vanguard: 10 Visionary African Artists Changing the Art World

From Afrofuturistic photography to socio-political painting, contemporary African artists are redefining the global art scene. This list features ten artists whose work is vital, visionary, and deeply rooted in cultural identity, memory, and innovation.

Paula Nascimento Named Co‑Curator of Sharjah Biennial 17 (2027 Edition)

Paula Nascimento, an architect and independent curator based in Luanda, has been announced as co-curator of Sharjah Biennial 17 (January 2027), working in tandem with Berlin-based professor Angela Harutyunyan. Their collaboration promises an experimental, critically engaged biennial grounded in shared histories and global reflections.

Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Poised to Transform Nigeria’s Cultural Landscape

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City opens in November 2025 as a major cultural hub. The first stage features the new research-focused MOWAA Institute, alongside its inaugural exhibition Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming. Designed by Adjaye Associates, the campus includes galleries, labs, performance spaces, and houses newly repatriated Benin Bronzes and contemporary artworks by Nigerian creators.

The Baobab and the Bronze: Rómulo Santa Rita’s Artistic Tribute to Cosal

For the third year in a row, Rómulo Santa Rita was chosen to design Grupo Cosal’s annual cover—this time crafting “Embondeiro,” a bronze sculpture inspired by a poem by Manuel Rui Monteiro. Featuring topographic reliefs of Kamacupa, the piece symbolises rootedness, artistic collaboration, and the deep connection between land, memory, and identity.

Sarasota Art Museum Spotlights Contemporary Black Artists in Celebrated Exhibitions

The Sarasota Art Museum’s ongoing 2025 exhibitions celebrate contemporary Black creativity with immersive works and a touring showcase featuring prints, quilts, sculptures, and installations by major names such as Martin Puryear, Kerry James Marshall, Gee’s Bend Quilters, and Lillian Blades. Through these transformative exhibitions, SAM continues to support artists illuminating stories of heritage, identity, and reflection.

Relooted: A Digital Escape Toward Cultural Justice

Relooted, launching later in 2025, is a puzzle-platform video game where players infiltrate Western museums to recover colonial-era African artifacts. Using stealth gameplay inspired by parkour and set in an Afrofuturistic near‑future, the game reflects the reality that 90% of Sub‑Saharan African cultural heritage is held outside the continent.

The Global Resonance of African Diaspora Art

Explore how African diaspora artists—through exhibitions, institutions, and digital innovation—have reshaped global contemporary art. This article charts their influence, showcasing both historical milestones and today's vibrant expressions.

The Weight of Clay: Kwame Akoto-Bamfo and the Art of Ancestral Justice

Ghanaian sculptor Kwame Akoto‑Bamfo uses his large installations and the Ancestor Project at Nkyinkyim Museum to confront the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. His haunting sculptures—displayed globally and in Alabama—give voice to erased histories and foster collective healing.

View All