My name is Bilonda Mireille Rommel, and I go by Mireille. I am a Congolese-born visual artist whose practice is deeply rooted in heritage, storytelling, and cultural memory. Working primarily in oil and acrylic, I create vivid, textured paintings that honor the past while celebrating the richness of African identity. Born and raised in Kinshasa—the vibrant capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo—I channel the spirit of my homeland through bold forms, layered symbolism, and expressive use of color, reflecting ancestral memory, cultural identity, and the resilience of my people.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to more than 200 ethnic groups, each with distinct traditions and practices. This cultural diversity continues to shape my work, where echoes of Congolese music, dance, and textiles often appear. Influences from the Luba—my own heritage—as well as Kuba, Kongo, and other cultures emerge in my use of geometric patterns and vibrant palettes, creating a visual language that both honors tradition and invites contemporary reflection.

My inspiration is both personal and communal. Guided by stories, oral traditions, music, and lived experience, I see painting as a form of visual journaling—a way to process, preserve, and share the histories that shape me. While my style leans toward abstract realism, it remains fluid, allowing me to experiment with techniques that reflect the layered complexity of identity and experience.

Much of my vision comes from the resilience of my homeland and the African continent. I draw on these influences to spark dialogue with Black American, Indigenous, Latina, and other communities, embracing the parallel experiences that connect us. Through this cross-cultural lens, my art becomes a bridge between African and American narratives, celebrating our shared strength, beauty, and legacy across the diaspora.

At its core, my work is about connection—between past and present, self and community, memory and imagination. My paintings invite viewers into spaces of reflection and recognition, offering moments of shared experience and collective truth. Whether on canvas or in conversation, my art seeks to uplift, affirm, and celebrate the enduring power of culture and story.