Kabú

Angola

"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, born Zola Pires Daniel (1981, Luanda), is a renowned Angolan visual artist whose work merges stylised realism with profound explorations of African identity, spirituality, and cultural memory. A self-taught painter with formal training from INFA and currently pursuing a degree in Visual and Plastic Arts at the University of Luanda, Kabú bridges tradition and innovation through bold, symbolic compositions.

His figurative paintings use contrasting warm and cool tones, dynamic lines, and layered narratives to reflect on ancestry, resistance, and the lived experiences of African men and women. Drawing inspiration from comic art, street culture, and classical mentorships—including a pivotal collaboration with Guilherme Mampuya—Kabú’s work resonates with emotion and critical reflection.

Kabú has held solo exhibitions at Tamar Golan Gallery, Hotel Alvalade, and Hotel Baía, and participated in numerous group shows curated by institutions such as THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE, Tamar Golan Gallery, and ENSA-ARTE. In 2024, he received the First Prize at the Centenary Contemporary Art Exhibition honouring Uanhenga Xitu.

As one of Angola’s leading contemporary artists, Kabú continues to develop a distinctive visual language that speaks to collective memory, post-colonial identity, and the transformative power of art.

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