Kriss Munsya is a Congolese-born visual artist whose work reflects a deeply personal exploration of identity, memory, and social transformation. Currently based in Vancouver, BC, Kriss brings a global perspective to his creative practice, shaped by a rich and complex journey that began in Kinshasa and continued through his upbringing in Brussels, Belgium during the 1990s—a period that holds lasting significance in his life.
EXPERIENCES SHAPE ARTISTRY
Growing up as a first-generation African immigrant in Europe, Kriss was regularly confronted with the harsh realities of systemic and normalized racism. These formative experiences, often marked by exclusion and violence, profoundly influenced the way he saw himself and the world around him. Rather than becoming hardened by these challenges, Kriss channelled his emotions and reflections into art—a space where he could reclaim his story, challenge harmful narratives, and connect with others on a meaningful level.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY CREATIVE PATH
Although Kriss is a self-taught artist, his creative path has been anything but narrow. His artistic journey has included work in photography, graphic design, music, and video production, allowing him to build a dynamic and multidisciplinary foundation. Art has always had a place in his life, but it was over five years ago—driven by a growing commitment to social justice movements—that Kriss found a distinct voice through the lens of photography. For him, photography is not merely a form of expression; it is a powerful tool for storytelling and resistance. It enables him to translate deeply personal and collective experiences into visual narratives that resonate widely and encourage thoughtful dialogue.
ART THAT ENGAGES
Kriss creates with purpose, often inviting viewers into conversations that ask difficult but necessary questions about race, belonging, and societal norms. His work does not provide simple answers, but instead offers a space for contemplation, connection, and empathy. At its heart, his art serves as both a reflection of his lived experience and an open invitation for others to examine the world through a more compassionate and critical lens.
RECOGNITION AND ACCLAIM
In 2021, he received the prestigious Salt Spring National Art Prize—The Joan McConnell Award—for his work Dreams Tonite. His photographic series The Eraser also secured the Fine Art Photography Award in 2021 and was a finalist for the BBA Gallery Photography Prize in Berlin, further establishing his international reputation.
GLOBAL IMPACT GROWS
Continuing his trajectory of critical success, Munsya’s 2023 project Genetic Bomb earned him the LensCulture Emerging Talent Award and the ND Awards, and was shortlisted for the Contemporary African Photography Prize. In 2024, he won the Contemporary African Photography Prize for the same series, highlighting his ongoing impact on the global art scene. His work has been exhibited in esteemed venues such as the Gallery Jones and Pendulum Gallery in Vancouver and the Robertson-Ares Gallery in Montreal, and featured in prominent publications including The New Yorker, Aesthetica Magazine, and IMA Magazine.
VISION FORWARD TOGETHER
Whether behind the camera or weaving together a new visual concept, Kriss Munsya continues to evolve as an artist and storyteller. His work speaks not only to where he has come from, but also to where he hopes we can go together—toward greater understanding, justice, and humanity.
“The significance of this is that while his artistic practice encompasses a broad thesis of cultural identity in the face of oppression and colonization, it is also a deeply personal query into the nature of the Self; the macro- and microcosmic worlds struggle under the same influence of history, memory and experience.”
~ Shane O’Brien, Gallery Jones
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].
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