Baloji

BALOJI (1978) is an award-winning musician and filmmaker, as well as a polymath artist and poet who also works as a stylist and art director for himself and for brands. He was born in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo), and was raised and is based in Belgium.

In Swahili, Baloji originally means "man of science", but during the colonial era this transformed into "man of occult sciences", and into "sorcerer" today. This name, as a heavy burden to bear, has been transformed through his work, shaping an eye for surrealism and magic realism.

As a musician he has released two critical acclaim albums and two EP, the latest gold certificated Avenue Kaniama, released by Bella Union records (Father John Misty, Fleet Foxes).

As a filmmaker, he is currently finishing his first feature film and original soundtrack Augure. He is developing several new films, a VR experience and different art installations. He has previously directed six shorts such as Zombies (winner prize at Oberhausen Short Film Festival 2019, best short on MUBI 2020, Clermont-Ferrand short film festival, London Film Festival, Locarno 2019, and many more).

As a visual artist, he is working on exhibitions and multidisciplinary art installations, among which are in Bordeaux/Basse-Sous Marine and Art Basel Miami/2022.