All This is a Dialogue: A Conversation with JOMO ART
by Anna Atsu
John Mombo Rachid, also known as Jomo Art, is a Congolese hyperrealist artist from the South of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Raised as a twin, he discovered his passion for art at the age of 6 while drawing cartoon characters with his brother. Over the years, Jomo experimented with various art forms, including painting and comics, but without success. He eventually focused on drawing, using graphite pencils, charcoal pencils, and dry pastels. In 2017 he began to gain recognition. That year, he held his first exhibition, marking the beginning of a series of exhibitions, both group and private. Today, Jomo Art is recognised for its ability to create striking portraits using various media, cementing his place in the art world.
We know you are a twin. Please, allow us to know more.
Yes, I am, but I lost my twin brother at the age of seven. We shared everything: our games, our dreams, and our budding passion for drawing. His absence left an enormous void, but also an inexhaustible source of inspiration. My art is a way of extending our bond beyond life, but also my refuge, my tribute, and my search for meaning.
Do you remember a drawing or a specific moment from your childhood that made you realise that art was much more than just a hobby for you and your brother?
Yes, I remember an afternoon when we drew our family as superheroes. It was naive, but full of emotion. That day, I realised that drawing could transcend reality — it could express love, joy, but also fear and hope. It wasn’t just playtime; it was our secret language, our safe place.
You experimented with painting and comics before taking up drawing. What were your initial struggles, and what brought you back to graphite and charcoal?
Painting and comics allowed me to explore different worlds, but I felt limited in expressing raw emotions. Graphite and charcoal offer immediacy and intensity I couldn’t find elsewhere. My first challenges were technical — mastering shadows, textures — but those difficulties pushed me to persist, to sharpen both my vision and my hand.
How did joining YAAC in 2017 impact your approach to art, and what did it mean to you to be part of a community of artists for the first time?
Joining YAAC was a revelation. For the first time, I felt surrounded and understood. Sharing experiences, doubts, and victories with other artists enriched me, both as a person and as an artist. It opened me up to new influences, forced me to question myself, and helped me grow.
Your portraits are incredibly striking. What emotions or stories are you trying to capture in a face?
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