Kito Mbiango is a self-taught painter and digital creator whose work delves into profound questions such as, “What is the soul?” and examines the relationship between humanity and the natural world. By blurring cultural boundaries, Mbiango draws inspiration from diverse sources, including anthropology, astrology, indigenous wisdom, and futuristic thought, crafting a unique visual language. His creations, characterized by an intuitive interplay of colors, textures, and geometry, reflect the cosmic dance between humanity and nature.
Born in Brussels in 1966, Mbiango’s multicultural upbringing across three continents deeply shaped his artistic vision. Raised between Belgium and Congo, where his father served as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and his mother worked as a nurse, he absorbed a rich tapestry of cultural influences. His grandmother, a master of ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arranging), passed on principles of balance, form, and color that continue to guide his practice. This diverse heritage instilled in him a profound respect for wildlife, the natural world, and ancestral knowledge—central themes in his work.
Through experimental techniques that merge traditional art forms with technological innovation, Mbiango creates layered and luminous compositions. Employing methods such as image transfer, mixed media assemblage, meticulously hand-applied details, and artificial intelligence, he bridges the tangible and the transcendent. His works evoke ancestral origins and primal intelligence while inviting viewers to reimagine the interconnectedness of all things and envision new possibilities for shaping the future.
Mbiango’s work has achieved international recognition. His piece Dissolve the Ego, So Your Soul Can Emerge set a record during the Wisdom & Nature exhibition at Christie’s in New York (2020/2021), with proceeds supporting programs dedicated to indigenous wisdom and conservation. He has received numerous accolades, including the 13th Pollux Prize, the Visual Art Open Competition, and the MvVO Ad Art Competition. His digital creations have been showcased at iconic venues such as Times Square and the Oculus at the World Trade Center.
As a climate advocate, Mbiango was named a Fellow by the Institute for the Future (Palo Alto, CA) for his collection addressing climate change. He has collaborated with international organizations such as the World Bank’s Climate Investment Fund, the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, BNP Paribas, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Women Deliver, and UNICEF, using his art to inspire action and raise awareness. Mbiango’s work has been featured in major publications, including The Financial Times, Art & Museum Magazine, Architectural Digest, and Elle Décor Spain. His pieces are part of corporate, nonprofit, and prestigious private collections worldwide.
With a bold vision, deep reverence for the past, and passion for the future, Mbiango’s work invites us to reimagine our place in the world and embrace the profound interconnectedness that shapes our shared destiny.