In Crucifix Congo, Young Paris reinterprets the iconic Kongo crucifix, a sacred symbol born from the meeting of African cosmology and European Christianity during the early Portuguese presence in Central Africa. Historically, these crucifixes were cast in bronze or brass by Kongo artisans, merging Christian imagery with deep indigenous meaning. For the Kongo people, the cross was not merely a symbol of Christ’s death but a cosmogram, a representation of the four moments of the sun, the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Paris honors this dual heritage through exquisite design and detail. The central figure of a negro Christ is draped over an intricate Kuba pattern, transforming the crucifix into a tapestry of cultural resilience. The rhythmic geometry and earthy palette echo his Congolese lineage, blending devotion and design into a single visual hymn.

Crucifix Congo speaks to a moment in history when faith and identity intertwined, when the Congolese reimagined the story of Christ through their own spiritual lens. Even as colonial influence sought to redefine their beliefs, their cosmology remained intact, powerful, and self-possessed. Through this work, Paris reclaims that syncretic beauty, a testament to how African spirituality has always found ways to preserve itself within, and beyond, imposed narratives.