Elembo Ya Sika Art Prize
Supporting Emerging Contemporary Artists in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Elembo Ya Sika Art Prize is a contemporary art initiative founded in 2025 by the Defise Foundation in partnership with the Africell Impact Foundation. Created to support emerging artists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the prize focuses on early-career artists living and working in the DRC.
Named after the Lingala phrase meaning “to make a new mark,” the prize reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the contemporary art ecosystem in the DRC.
The Elembo Ya Sika Art Prize was designed to provide meaningful, career-shaping support to promising Congolese artists at a critical stage of professional development.
Inaugural Edition (2025–2026)
The first edition of the Elembo Ya Sika Art Prize was launched in London in October 2025 and opened to artists based in Kinshasa. The open call attracted more than 120 applications, demonstrating the vitality and diversity of the city’s emerging art scene. From these submissions, 20 finalists were shortlisted, and the three winners were announced in Kinshasa in February 2026.
International Jury
The recipients were selected by a distinguished international jury that included:
- Naomi Beckwith, Deputy Director and Jennifer & David Stockman Chief Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation in New York.
- Dana Endundo Ferreira, Founder and CEO of Pavillon 54, a digital platform dedicated to modern and contemporary African art.
- Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, leading Congolese artist and founding member of the M’Pongo collective in Kinshasa.
Our 2025–2026 Prize Winners are
- Destin Ushindi Mpigiri
- Kehtia Masengo Mbaya
- Gloire Nkembo
Each selected artist will receive:
- A selection of Winsor & Newton art materials of their choosing, supporting the production of ambitious new work
- One year of mentorship from Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, one of the leading figures in contemporary Congolese painting
- Professional visibility and strategic support from the Defise Foundation and the Africell Impact Foundation
About Africell
The first edition of the Elembo Ya Sika Art Prize was launched in London in October 2025 and opened to artists based in Kinshasa. The open call attracted more than 120 applications, demonstrating the vitality and diversity of the city’s emerging art scene. From these submissions, 20 finalists were shortlisted, and the three winners were announced in Kinshasa in February 2026.
Web | Africell
About the Africell Impact Foundation
The first edition of the Elembo Ya Sika Art Prize was launched in London in October 2025 and opened to artists based in Kinshasa. The open call attracted more than 120 applications, demonstrating the vitality and diversity of the city’s emerging art scene. From these submissions, 20 finalists were shortlisted, and the three winners were announced in Kinshasa in February 2026.
Images credits
- Images courtesy of Africell