ABOUT
Biography
Makila was born and raised in Congo, then moved to France where she studied French literature specialising in African narratives at Sorbonne University before becoming a French teacher in London. In her research she looked at the intimate bonds a writer draws between the reader, a particular ‘time-space’ and themselves. She observed similar bonds in craft, as she became increasingly interested in the African art. With jewellery, she realised that she can choose materials according to a space and story-line. She studied part-time fine jewellery at City Lit. She launched her brand M.Kala in autumn 2020. Her first collection was selected by the Goldsmith Centre for SHINE2021. She also got the attention of the Craft Council and learnt a lot during their program "Craft Business".
Wanting to push further her exploration of material and design concept, she applied for the 2 years programme MA Design at Central Saint Martins, granted with distinction. Her final work received the Maison/O award 2024 supported by the LVMH group. She also won the C.S.M. Graduate Award, meaning a sample of her work has been purchased by the university’s Museum and Library.
Artist Statement
M.K presents minimalist yet bold jewellery pieces. Her approach is guided by the observation that strong symbols come usually in simple shapes and repetitive patterns.
Her African background but also her love for literature inform her practice: she thinks carefully about the bounds between the components she is working with, their social and political context. Matter is the thread of her plots.
She has a particular interest in non-precious materials or objects that have carried a particular significance in pre-colonial times as well as in modern Africa. In combining them with precious metal, such as silver or gold, she hopes to enhance their intrinsic value and write a new story.