1990-2005

Between 2000 and 2005, Cyril Kongo began shifting from collective expression to a more personal and introspective practice. After years of painting walls as part of the MAC crew, he started exploring the energy of the letter beyond the urban landscape.

Fascinated by the expressive power of calligraphy and the movement of the hand, Kongo deepened his relationship with the letter—not just as a symbol or word, but as a gesture, a rhythm, a trace of presence. He began to experiment with new surfaces: canvas, paper, found objects—transposing the raw energy of graffiti into more intimate, studio-based formats.

Influenced by traditional calligraphic arts from Asia, this period marks a turning point in his journey: the letter becomes both structure and freedom, both discipline and impulse. It is no longer about making a name on the street, but about giving form to emotion, to flow, to silence.

These years laid the groundwork for his singular style—a language of color, movement, and spirit—rooted in graffiti, yet reaching far beyond it.