CULTURAL COMMUNICATION | EDITORIAL STRATEGY | ART PUBLICATION
Executive Snapshot
SANAA Collection commissioned a catalogue to present Congolese-born artist Thonton Kabeya to an international audience.
The publication needed to communicate the depth of his work to collectors, curators and galleries. It also had to strengthen SANAA Collection’s role as a cultural platform rather than simply record the artworks.
The Communication Challenge
Kabeya’s work explores contemporary Afro-urban life, memory and resilience through a sculpting-canvas process. The catalogue required context without interpreting the work too heavily.
Interviews, essays, artwork and technical details needed a clear reading order. The design also had to support planned English and French content while maintaining consistent pacing.
Accurate presentation was central. Many works carried important detail across their edges. Cropping, weak colour reproduction or inconsistent captions could reduce meaning and curatorial credibility.
My Role
As Creative Director, Editorial Strategist and Designer, I worked directly with Thonton Kabeya to shape the publication’s visual language and narrative flow. I directed the editorial structure, design and artwork presentation, managed the typesetter and proofreader, and contributed selected photography.
The Communication Response
I created a gallery-like editorial system that allowed the artwork to lead. Minimal typography and generous space gave interviews and essays a calm structure. Full-bleed spreads created moments of scale and impact.
Each artwork received a precise, deep-edged presentation to protect the physical detail of Kabeya’s sculpting canvases. A consistent caption system organised the title, collection, medium, dimensions and year. This gave every work the accuracy expected from an international art publication.
Earthy warm neutrals and deeper accents drew from African visual culture. The palette added context while remaining secondary to the artwork. The modular layout could accommodate English and French copy without weakening hierarchy or rhythm.
Communication and Brand Value
The catalogue gave SANAA Collection a coherent publication for international cultural conversations. It positioned the collection clearly while presenting Kabeya’s practice with respect, precision and visual authority.
For collectors, curators and galleries, it created a credible reference. For the artist, it provided a considered narrative without competing with the work.
What This Project Demonstrates
Cultural brand communication, editorial strategy, creative direction, art direction, publication design, typography, photography, bilingual content planning and production management.
View the Art Catalogue
Explore the editorial system, artwork presentation and visual storytelling.
