Kevin Katoto Kitenge: Congolese fine art photographer highlighting identity, african beauty & visual poetry | 54Ruum Spotlight

Kevin Katoto Kitenge, known by his artist name “Kevin 3K,” is a contemporary photographer born in 1997 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, where he lives and works. His history with photography began at an early age.

Inspired by his father, a photographer in his company’s communications department, Kevin enjoyed drawing and painting long before picking up a camera. This love for visual arts remains at the heart of his work.

Through his work, Kevin explores African beauty in all its forms, questioning identity, self-perception, and social representations. His images blur the line between reality and imagination.

Winner of the pan-African “AFRICA HERE” program in 2022, he has exhibited at the Scope Art Show (Miami), then at the Amaldlozi Gallery (USA), NFT Tallinn (Estonia), Linguère (Dakar), NFT New York (USA), and NFT Bali (Indonesia). In 2024, he was selected among the “HUG 100 Photographers to Watch” by the HUG platform. He also received a bronze medal at the WPE international competition for his work “La femme pensante” (The Thinking Woman).

In 2025, he participated in the “Modern and Contemporary Congo Art” exhibition (Stanley's Auction, Belgium) and was a finalist for the Diane Audrey Ngako Prize in Cameroon. He participated in the “Mampala Foto Lubumbashi” exhibition (DR CONGO) and won the trophy for best photographic portrait at the Africans Photography Awards (DR CONGO).

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I am a visual artist guided by accuracy and consistency, with particular attention to how my projects are presented, constructed, and narrated. My approach is based on a desire to continually explore, understand, and refine my artistic language, while remaining open, curious, and rigorous. Each project becomes an opportunity for me to grow, clarify my intentions, and deepen my professional vision.

How did you first get into photography?

My photography journey began at a very young age, influenced by my father, Mwembo Kitenge, who worked as a photographer in his company's communications department. Later, I had the privilege of working alongside one of the leading Congolese photographers, Billy Misabiko, an experience that profoundly shaped my artistic practice and strengthened my technical expertise.

I have also drawn inspiration from the work of renowned artists such as Mustache Muhanya, Sammy Baloji, Alain Nsenga, Georges Nsenga, Osborne Macharia, Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk, and Rembrandt whose diverse approaches have deeply informed my thinking and enriched my own artistic vision.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

I specialise in fine art photography. My world lies at the intersection of photography and painting. I use light and color as others use brushes and pigments, transforming each image into a scene where memory, emotion, and visual narrative converge. Guided by old masters such as Rembrandt, my approach engages with contemporary questions of identity, representation, and African beauty.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

Through my work, I explore how individuals perceive and construct their identity. I question the cultural, ideological, and aesthetic practices that shape self-perception in a changing African context. My work seeks to transcend visible reality to offer a visual and poetic experience that is both intimate and universal.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

In 2022, I was selected as one of six winners of the acceleration program dedicated to African digital artists, organised by the Nigerian artist Osinachi in collaboration with the American art platform MakersPlace. This distinction allowed me to present my work for the first time at the Scope Art Show in Miami, alongside the other winning artists.

During the same week, I also participated in another exhibition organised by the Amadlozi Gallery, in collaboration with the Wetsi Gallery in Brussels. This period marked a decisive step in my artistic journey, constituting a particularly enriching experience that contributed significantly to the evolution of my career.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

Coming from a family of seven children, my brothers and sisters all inherited my father’s talent for drawing. At the time, I did not share that gift. This led me to seek a medium through which I could express my ideas and sensitivity, and photography naturally became my means of artistic creation.

Very early on, I sought to develop a style that reflected who I am and set me apart, which led me to specialise in fine art photography. This choice was not obvious at first, as this style requires rigorous mastery of light, shadows, conceptual writing, and model direction. This complex organisation was a real challenge when I was starting out. However, with time, patience, and constant practice, I gradually refined my method and strengthened my artistic mastery.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

At this stage in my artistic career, I would like to collaborate with photographers whose vision resonates with my own, notably Osborne Macharia, known for his futuristic and narrative universe, and Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk, whose unique and poetic artistic approach is a major source of inspiration.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

I see 54Ruum as a necessary platform that helps build bridges between African artists and international audiences. It encourages the exchange of ideas, collaboration, and greater recognition of talent from the continent.

How's the photography and art space in your country: how has it evolved in recent years?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, photography and art are undergoing a particularly stimulating period of transformation. More and more Congolese artists are asserting themselves with confidence, driven by strong creativity and a desire to engage with the international scene.

Photography is experiencing remarkable growth, becoming a space for experimentation, storytelling, and the reinvention of the imagination. Supported by independent initiatives, collectives, and growing access to digital platforms, the Congolese art scene today reveals a rich, dynamic potential that is resolutely turned toward the future.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

To find your style in photography, start practicing and experimenting now. No matter what equipment you have, experience and observation will help you improve, and you can always adjust your equipment later according to your needs.