The Congo Project

In December 2024, I traveled to the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo together with artist Natisa Exocé Kasongo. The journey was initiated as a collaborative research project to explore the cultural and artistic heritage of the region, with the intention of laying the foundation for a future cultural initiative. The experience remains a powerful catalyst for an ongoing vision.

The research focused on deep listening, observation, and documentation—connecting with local communities, elders, performers, and youth. I photographed spontaneous gatherings, traditional rituals, street performances, and everyday moments that revealed the richness of lived cultural expression. What emerged was a multidimensional portrait of a region alive with ancestral memory, creative strength, and a desire for self-defined cultural futures.

At the core of this work is a commitment to creating platforms where local youth can cultivate their creative potential—rooted in their own histories, forms, and rhythms. The images captured are part of a broader process: one that seeks to nurture cultural continuity, inspire artistic autonomy, and support sustainable, locally anchored development through the arts.

This is an evolving project. One that grows from the ground up, shaped by the voices and visions encountered—and by the responsibility to carry forward the energy of this journey with clarity, respect, and long-term intention.