Congolese photographic artist Kevin 3K steps out of the studio and into memory. This body of work marks his first outdoor photo series—a personal and artistic departure from the controlled lighting of his usual studio practice into the wild, natural light of a place deeply woven into his past: the grounds of his secondary school in Lubumbashi.
“This project is both very special and experimental, I wanted to be in relationship with nature, natural light only… The location is where I spent six years of my life. For me, it’s like a memory project that reminds me of a period in my life because part of my history is there.”
The central figure in this quiet revolution is Anna, an albino woman. Her presence is deliberate, tender, and radical — positioned against a landscape that holds Kevin’s boyhood and layered with cultural tension.
“In many cultures, people with albinism face discrimination or social invisibility. I wanted not only to celebrate their unique beauty, but also to affirm their dignity, their strength, and their place in society.”
Through Anna’s movements and stillness, Kevin weaves a narrative both poetic and political. She holds a violin—a recurring symbol in Kevin’s work and personal obsession.
“The violin is the inner voice. The one that we don’t always hear, but which vibrates with intensity… It embodies emotion, memory, and the pain that we try to tune into a world that is constantly changing.”
By embracing the textures of natural light, memory, and identity, Kevin turns photography into a kind of silent music. One image at a time, he invites viewers into a space of reflection... a slowing down.
A return to listening.
“My Congolese identity is the thread running through it all,” he says. “It shapes my artistic vision, refines my sensitivity to light, textures, and space. It invites me to tell stories from my community.”
Curator Statement
“I see this work not only as beautiful, but necessary. It insists on softness as a form of strength. It challenges us to slow down, to witness fully, and to consider what, and who, we’ve been conditioned not to see.”
"Itan" translates to "story" or "history" in Yoruba. Yoruba people are one of the largest and most culturally significant ethnic groups in West Africa. Yoruba culture is known for its vibrant and expressive arts, including sculpture, textiles, music, dance, and storytelling. Yoruba art has a strong emphasis on symbolism and spirituality and has influenced the broader African art world. Itan Foundation World isn’t just about displaying art, but also about telling the stories and histories of West African artists, their cultures and their creative journeys. Each artwork is selected for its ability to evoke a sense of storytelling and exploration.