Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, is a special political unit equivalent to a Congolese region. Formerly known as Leopoldville, it was founded and named by Henry Morton Stanley in honor of King Leopold II of Belgium, who controlled the Congo Free State. The area actually began to grow as the financial and manufacturing center for the Congo when a rail line was built to link it to the coastal port of Matadi. In accordance with his “Africanization” policy, Mobutu Sese Seko renamed the city “Kinshasa” after the former village of Kinchassa. Although Kinshasa was also famous for corruption and violence during Mobutu’s reign, it managed to become a major promoter of national cultural life and arts and the main intellectual center of Central Africa, hosting flourishing communities of musicians and artists: the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa offers training programs in painting, sculpture, carving, architecture, and ceramics, while the National Institute of the Arts offers training in classical and traditional music.

Central Africa
Kinshasa
Art Makers (39)
Art Spaces (2)
Mentioned in this article
Artists in Kinshasa
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JP Kiangu
Artist -
Kinshasa
Gosette Lubondo
Photographer -
Kinshasa
Mega Mingiedi Tunga
Artist -
Kinshasa
Olivier Nalumbu
Artist -
Kinshasa
Judith Kaluaji
Artist -
Hilary Balu
Artist -
Serge Diakota
Artist -
Kinshasa
Gabriel Lukinga
Artist -
Kinshasa
Flory Sinanduku
Artist -
Kinshasa
Francis Mampuya
Artist -
Kinshasa
Fransix Tenda
Artist -
Yves Sambu
Photographer -
Kinshasa
Alfi Alfa
Artist -
Kinshasa
Bodo Fils BBM
Artist -
Kinshasa
Trésor Cherin
Artist -
Kinshasa
Azgard Itambo
Artist -
Kinshasa
Eunice Kamanda
Artist -
Kinshasa
Danniel Toya
Artist -
Kinshasa
Dolet Malalu
Artist -
Kinshasa
Anastasie Langu Lawinner
Artist -
Elie Mbansing
Artist -
Kinshasa
Freddy Tsimba
Artist -
Kinshasa
Lema Kusa
Artist -
Kinshasa
Jean Shula Monsengo
Artist -
Kinshasa
Steve Bandoma
Artist -
Kinshasa
Amani Bodo
Artist -
Kinshasa
Chéri Samba
Artist -
Kinshasa
Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga
Artist -
JC Lofenia
Artist -
Kinshasa
Houston Maludi
Artist -
Kinshasa
JP Mika
Artist -
Kinshasa
Aicha Muteba
Artist -
Kinshasa
Kura Shomali
Artist -
Kinshasa
Pathy Tshindele
Artist -
Rigobert Nimi
Artist -
Ambroise Ngayimoko
Artist -
Kinshasa
Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo
Artist -
Kinshasa
Alexandre Kyungu
Artist -
Kinshasa
Joycenath Tshamala
Artist