Kim Mupangilaï

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Design | Interior | Exhibitions | References | Research & Case Studies


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  • Bina Chair


  • Presented at the solo exhibition Hue Am I/ Hue I Am
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • Meaning: ‘Bina’ means ‘Dance’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Bina Chair is crafted from teak, featuring a handwoven raffia back and stabilized by a volcanic stone. This design playfully challenges perceptions of balance and stability, embodying the dual nature of my Belgian-Congolese heritage. It marks the inaugural piece of the Kasai Series, representing a bridge between cultures and histories.



  • Details
    Bina Chair
    2023
    Teak, Volcanic Stone, Raffia
    14” x 12” x 45”
    36 x 30 x 114 cm
    Made to order
    Lead time 10 - 12 weeks
    Inquire








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  • Mwasi Armoire


  • Presented at the solo exhibition Hue Am I/ Hue I Am
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • Meaning: ‘Mwasi’ means ‘Woman’ in Congo- lese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Mwasi Armoire abstractly represents the essence of an African shield, handwoven in rattan with a river rock stone handle, emphasizing traditional craft techniques deeply rooted in Congolese culture. This piece features exag- gerated curves that add a sensuous and playful visual appeal, and a totem-like arm with a fixed wooden rod for hanging textiles, all supported by a small stone foot. Inspired by the protective spirit and cultural identity symbolized by the Ngandu shields of Azande warriors, the armoire is not just a functional item but a celebration of heritage, blending modern design with ancient symbolism.



  • Details
    Mwasi Armoire
    2023
    Teak, volcanic stone, rattan
    49” x 25.5” x 87”
    124 x 65 x 221 cm
    Made to order
    Lead time 10 - 12 weeks
    Inquire

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  • Bina Duo Side Table I


  • Presented at the solo exhibition Hue Am I/ Hue I Am
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • Meaning: ‘Bina’ means ‘Dance’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Bina Duo Side Table I is made out of teak wood, has a rattan and wood drawer with a river rock stone handle. The surface of the side table has an embedded river rock stone bowl. The side table is part of a set that subtly mimics each others shape when one or the other is turned upside down.



  • Details
     Bina Duo Side Table I
    2023
    Teak, volcanic stone, rattan
    27” x 14”
    69 x 36 cm
    Made to order
    Lead time 10 - 12 weeks
    Inquire




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  • Bina Duo Side Table II


  • Presented at the solo exhibition Hue Am I/ Hue I Am
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • Meaning: ‘Bina’ means ‘Dance’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Bina Duo Side Table II is made out of teak wood, has a rattan and wood drawer with a river rock stone handle. The surface of the side table has an embedded river rock stone bowl. The side table is part of a set that subtly mimics each others shape when one or the other is turned upside down.



  • Details
     Bina Duo Side Table II
    2023
    Teak, volcanic stone, rattan
    27” x 14”
    69 x 36 cm
    Made to order
    Lead time 10 - 12 weeks
    Inquire





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  • Brazza Room Divider


  • Presented at Miami Design 2022
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • The Brazza Room Divider was designed prior to the Hue Am I/Hue I Am series and was created specifically for Miami Design/ 2022.


  • The concept for Miami Design/ was ‘dream room’, so I intented
    to keep it playful in its layering with organic shapes and textures while also tapping into my Congolese heritage and the complexity of tranforming material in impossible ways. The exploration of my culttural landscape later became the red thread for my first series with Superhouse Gallery.



  • Details
     Brazza Room Divider
    2022
    Teak, volcanic stone, rattan
    59” x 3” x 71”
    150 x 8 x 180 cm
    Made to order
    Lead time 10 - 12 weeks
    Inquire




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  • Bina Day Bed


  • Presented at the solo exhibition Hue Am I/ Hue I Am
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • ‘Bina’ means ‘Dance’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Bina Daybed is made out of teak wood, has a handwoven raffia pillow and is held by a river rock stone foot. The shape of the day- bed’s profile is inspired by a Congolese currency tool. This currency tool’s original use was for cutting branches, treks through the forest and protecting.




  • Details
    Bina Daybed
    2023
    Teak, volcanic stone, rattan
    24” x 71” x 28”
    61 x 180 x 71 cm
    • Made to order
    • Lead time 10 - 12 weeks




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  • Mayi Bench


  • Presented at the solo exhibition Hue Am I/ Hue I Am
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • ‘Mayi’ means ‘Water’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the lan- guages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Mayi Bench is made out of teak wood and the seats are wrapped in banana leaf fiber - a reference to banana leaves that Congolese cuisine uses to wrap and preserve food - locked by a river rock stone shaped decoratively in reference to our many symbolic currency tools.



  • Details
    Mayi Bench
    2023
    Teak, volcanic stone, banana fiber
    47” x 18” x 16”
    119 x 46 x 41 cm
    • Made to order
    • Lead time 10 - 12 weeks




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  • Bina Lamp


  • Presented at the solo exhibition Hue Am I/ Hue I Am
  • From Kasai Series

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • ‘Bina’ means ‘Dance’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Bina Lamp serves as a tribute to the enduring spirit and heritage of African women. Crafted from teak with a shade made from banana fiber paper, it ab- stractly celebrates pre-colonial African hairstyles, symbolizing identity and be- auty. Each curve reflects the stories and strength of our female ancestors, woven with pride and reverence. This lamp transcends its functional role, embodying a celebration of womanhood’s complexities and beauty.




  • Details
    Bina Lamp
    2023
    Teak, volcanic stone, banana fiber
    34” x 16” x 67”
    86 x 41 x 170 cm
    Made to order
    Lead time 10 - 12 weeks
    Inquire




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  • Liso Stool I


  • Presented at Brooklyn Museum  
  • Commission

Solo Exhibition: 
Hue Am I/Hue I Am


  • ‘Liso’ means ‘Eye’ in Congolese Tshiluba. Tshiluba is one of the languages alongside three other native languages spoken in the DCR.


  • The Liso Stool introduces a dual-layered top that doubles as both a seat and side table. The sculptural volcanic rock in this stool, positioned horizontally to connect the two teak panels, is not just a structural element. Above it, a thematic vertical cut-out mirrors the rock’s exact shape, creating a visual play that en- hances the design. This arrangement serves as both a visual and material echo of the rugged landscapes of Belgium and Congo, linking the stool directly to the geographical and cultural inspirations that shape my artistic narrative.




  • Details
    Liso Stool I
    2024
    Teak, volcanic stone, banana fiber
    19” x 16” x 11”
    48 x 41 x 28 cm
    • Made to order
    • Lead time 10 - 12 weeks




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  • Koma Chair 


  • Presented at FOG Design+Art Fair San Fransisco



  • The Koma Chair draws its form from the ceremonial axe of the Tshokwe/Lwena people, a symbol of authority and craftsmanship. Its shell-like curvature reflects themes of protection, power, and the cultural significance of shells in Luba traditions.

  • Cultural Significance: In Luba culture, shells were both ornamental and symbolic, worn by men and women around the neck, body, and in hair. Beads and shells encoded both status and ancestral connection, often referencing named spirits who stood for chiefs or kings. Shells were also integral to Lukasa memory boards, which preserved oral histories, genealogies, and cosmological knowledge. The chair’s form pays homage to these traditions, encapsulating the essence of safeguarding memory and storytelling.

  • Design Details: The legs feature subtle curves reminiscent of Art Nouveau forms, finished with a darker wood stain. This detail highlights the significant influence of African culture on modern art movements, adding another layer to the cross-cultural heritage narrative embedded in the piece.



  • Details
    Koma Chair
    2025
    Teak, volcanic stone, banana fiber
    17” x 18” x 35”
    44 x 46 x 90 cm
    Made to order
    Lead time 10 - 12 weeks
    Inquire





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Kim Mupangilaï ©
As seen in:
The Financial Times, The New York Times, AD Germany, AD Pro, Architectural Digest US, Artnet, Coveteur, DeZeen, FRAME Magazine, Galerie Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Hypebeast, Interior Design Magazine, Marie Claire, Milk Decoration Magazine, Sabato Magazine, STIR Pad, STIR World, Surface Magazine, Vogue Poland, Afrique Magazine amongst others.