Portraits of a New Congo

In February 2016 I was able to travel to Kinshasa for the first time, invited by the Spanish Embassy for the production of this photo series. Of the few news I managed to find in Western media about the Democratic Republic of the Congo dealt with the horrors of this vast and diverse country and following the trail of Conrad’s hell. These are undeniable stories that must be told, but in doing so without showing other more positive aspects of Congolese society, contributes to reinforcing the social stigma that, in the eyes of the outside world, is attached to both Congolese society and Africa in general. Today, we continue to depersonalise a portion of the human race. We continue to treat and see them as “the others” instead of as “us”.

However, there is a kinder, more humane side to the Congo. And that is precisely the reality that this project intends to reflect: one which seeks to put a face, a name and a surname to all those Congolese people who are pushing projects forward under unfavourable conditions. They are the driving force behind the modernisation of a country that is not just burdened with obstacles, but also full of possibilities.