ABOUT : bio/exhibitions
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| ABOUT |
| Bio Kito Mbiango draws from his wide-ranging travels and photographic experience in producing works by crossing and blurring cultural borders between Eastern and Western spheres of influence. Elements of post-colonial commentary (initiated via found 18th and 19th Century engravings in the style of John James Audubon, J. Barralet, and James Fittler) and modern cultural references (trough the use of turn-of-the century photography) converge in a rich, complex layering of color and graphic embellishment. Above all, however, Mbiango’s more pressing concern is the unity of both artistic and human ingredients: the integration of Eastern and Western influences seeks to peacefully reconcile the inherent cultural differences naturally ubiquitous in the postmodern age. Every conceivable culture (in which Mbiango feels he can trace himself) will find its way into Mbiango’s musings, keeping his practice in a consistent state of growth and experimentation. His Congolese father inspired Kito with an appreciation of his African heritage while his Belgian mother’s family provided a constant exposure to the arts and a wide variety of techniques. The multi-media work expresses his love of color, his fascination with photography and collage. Kito began his career as a photographer. He decided to pursue his dream of creating works that would naturally combine the illustrative elements he loved about photography and painting and unite the disparate cultural influences that were an integral part of his upbringing. His goal is to celebrate ageless culture. Kito’s art brings imagination to reality. His pieces tell the audience a full story from different cultures and background. Kito Mbiango was born in Brussels in 1966. He utilizes multiple production methods including image transfer and mixed media assemblage all applied meticulously by hand. His paintings have been featured in publications such as Town & Country Magazine, Architectural Digest, Miami INTERIORS (Tashen) and Luxe Magazine. Non-profit groups, including UNICEF , Voices United , Haitian Art Relief Fund ,FOTORELIEF, and HEAL Africa , have also featured Mbiango’s work. He spends his time between Brussels and Miami with his wife and two children. Exhibitions 2011 Art Basel Wynwood,"EXHIBIT" 2011,Miami , FL 2010 Fotorelief Exhibition, Milk Gallery NYC, NY Haitian art relief fund Artists to Artists , Miami , FL Wynwood central, Art Basel, Miami, solo show 2009 Tag Gallery California, 2009 Open Exhibition Palos Verdes Art Center California, 2009 Juried All Media Exhibition Wynwood Central Miami, 2009 Solo Show Karpeles Museum, Santa Barbara, Ca Solo Exhibition, Sylvia White Gallery, Ventura, Ca Viridian Artists Gallery, New York. Exhibition curated by Elisabeth Sussman, curator at the Whitney Museum, NY Lancaster County Art Association Pennsylvania, National Juried Exhibition Ricart Gallery, Miami 2008 D.A.S.H. Creative Mind Awards, Miami, Fl Voices United Fundraiser Exhibition, Miami, Fl Keszler Gallery, Southampton, NY 2007 Keszler Gallery, Southampton, NY 2006 Ethnic Design, Art Basel, Miami 2005 UNICEF Children of Darfur Exhibition, UN Headquarters, NYC, NY Fotorelief Exhibition, Milk Gallery NYC, NY |