Born in Dakar, Senegal, Issa Samb—also known as Joe Ouakam—was a central figure in the West African avant-garde. He was a founding member of the Laboratoire Agit'Art, an experimental collective established in 1974 that sought to dismantle the boundaries between art and everyday life through collaborative performance and installation.

His practice spanned painting, sculpture, poetry, and theater, often utilizing found objects and ephemeral materials to explore themes of post-colonial identity and urban existence. His studio in Dakar served as a legendary site for intellectual exchange and artistic production for decades.

Samb's influence extended globally, with his work featured in major international exhibitions including Documenta 13. He remains a pivotal figure in contemporary African art history for his commitment to the intersection of creative expression and political activism.