Davi Dombele

Angola

"His artistic practice is rooted in daily observation and research, blending real and allegorical imagery to bridge the gap between fiction and reality through mediums such as canvas and paint."

MEET

Davi Dombele

Daví Dombele (b. Sambizanga, Luanda) is a rising voice in contemporary Angolan art, known for his evocative paintings that merge the real and the allegorical. His creative journey began early — at just 7 years old, he was already illustrating comic strips, a formative experience that laid the groundwork for his unique visual language. In 2016, he embraced painting as a professional path, later refining his practice at CEART – Complexo Escolar das Artes in 2018, where he shaped his identity as an “illustracionista.”

Dombele’s work is grounded in daily observation and visual research, weaving together imagery from life and imagination to bridge fiction and reality. Through mediums such as acrylic on canvas, he explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and symbolic narrative, using art as a tool to question, reflect, and engage.

His distinctive approach has earned him critical acclaim, including the Angola 35 Graus Award (2019, Art and Culture) and the Musseque Youth Award (2023, Culture and Art). He also took part in the Resiliart Angola Artistic Residency organised by UNESCO, underscoring his role in shaping the contemporary art scene in Angola and beyond.

Selected Exhibitions:
Mulheres (2018), Hotel HCTA, Luanda

Odyssey (2018), Hotel HCTA, Luanda

Animália (2020), Shopping Avenida, Luanda

Bienal da Paz (2021), Fortaleza de São Miguel, Luanda

Bound No More (2022), The Africana Institute, New Jersey, USA

O Culto da Deusa (2022), UNAP, Luanda

A Grande Mãe (2023), UNAP, Luanda

Resiliart Angola (2023–2024), New Jersey, USA

Centenário de Uanhenga Xitu (2024), Memorial António Agostinho Neto, Luanda

Daví Dombele’s art captures the complexity of contemporary African identity, offering a hybrid visual space where narrative painting, symbolism, and emotional introspection converge. With growing recognition in both national and international circles, he is part of a new generation of Angolan contemporary artists whose work speaks across borders and cultural contexts.

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