Art & Culture, Cover Stories

“Representation is Very Important to Me.” Gabin Kongolo’s Creative Journey

8 February

Within Cardiff’s creative scene, actor, poet, and filmmaker Gabin Kongolo, who has been recognised as a changemaker since 2020, stands out, telling stories about his rich heritage and commitment to the representation of black artists in the community.

In an exclusive interview with KLAT Magazine, Kongolo opens the door to his career, sharing insights into his projects, inspirations, and challenges.

For Gabin, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, his Congolese heritage isn’t just a part of his identity; it’s the force behind his artistic endeavours. “My heritage is everything to me,” he expresses. It serves as a source of inspiration, allowing him to look deeper into the messages he wishes to convey.

The small screen has witnessed Kongolo’s diverse talents in TV series like “The Suspect,” “Bulletproof,” “Doctors,” and the S4C/BBC drama “Bariau.”

Portraying the character ‘Hussein’ in “Bariau” proved to be an enjoyable challenge, marking his first venture into acting in Welsh professionally.

The role required diligent research into Islam and the treatment of Muslims in prison, including meetings with Dr. Mohammed Qasim, an expert who authored a book on young Muslims in prison, and took him to speak with some Muslim inmates, providing valuable insights that shaped the actor’s perspective for the role.

In 2021, the artist was described as a changemaker, and he remains very particular about representation and inclusion in the creative industry. According to him,

“Representation is very important. The doors that I knock on and break down aren’t just for me. It’s way bigger than me. It’s for the ones that come after me, so they can flourish way easier. Personally, I’d like to be part of a narrative where a black person can just be anything they want to be.”

Beyond the screen, the actor takes his artistic career seriously; his project “NDAKO,” a cinematic poem produced by Redbrick with the support of Artes Mundi and the National Museum of Wales, was featured at Tate Modern’s ‘A Common World’ exhibition, with billboards displayed in London.

The film tells the story of his parents’ journey in a quest to build a home away from home, and this project amongst others aims for raw honesty and the creation of a space for meaningful conversations. “As artists, we consistently have the opportunity to create conversations that shifts culture,” he asserts, highlighting the immense change art can bring.

Gabin draws inspiration from actors and creators like “Daniel Kaluuya, Rakie Ayola, George The Poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, Viola Davis, Wong Kar-wai, and Lakeith Stanfield,” and also pays homage to his friends and peers in the industry.

The talent’s career has faced it’s own wave of challenges and rejections, but yet he has somehow remained optimistic and has chosen to draw strength from the mantra, “Every No, reminds me why I want the Yes,” redirecting his energy back into his craft.

It goes without saying that being an actor, poet, and filmmaker is very tedious work and requires a diverse skillset, but Gabin manages to do this with ease and even hopes to soon include the art of mixing and mastering to his abilities. He aspires to perfect his craft in DJ’ing and believes that listening to his body will always help him decide what artistic venture to lean into at a given time, as all the avenues bring him peace.

Apart from his upcoming film project with Mastena Productions, in which he hints at dancing being a central theme, Kongolo shares a personal goal of maintaining peace and embracing life’s joys in 2024. Professionally, he remains tight-lipped about his specific goals but emphasises the importance of personal growth alongside career ambitions.

He highlights that the most defining moment of his career so far is the project he just finished, which he is certain will be a beautiful representation for the black community, but is not allowed to speak on, until it is announced.

When asked for his advice to younger actors, poets, and filmmakers starting out in the industry, he said,

“The journey is the film. It starts and ends with you. Keep going. Collect and notice everything around you. Build your own community. Take constructive criticism. Always remember your reason for starting.”

Gabin Kongolo is not just a rising star riding the hype wave; he’s carving out his space and hoping to contribute to the representation of the black community in Cardiff and eventually around the world.