Paris-based photographer and filmmaker Kevin Couliau aims to unearth stories illuminating sports' profound impact on individuals and societies.

Son of an architect and brother to a pro skateboarder, a youth immersed in creativity and a deep passion for basketball helped him develop a keen understanding of sociology and urban design that seamlessly integrates into the composition and substance of his photography and films.

An essential part of his work examines the significant impact of basketball courts on urban landscapes and communities, capturing the people, details, colors, and structures as genuine ecosystems in constant evolution, witnessing the use of these spaces as absolute territories, recreational fields, or refuges to escape the day-to-day reality.

In 2013, he directed and filmed the award-winning documentary Doin' It In The Park (Netflix, PBS, Sundance Channel), delving into the rich history, culture, and global influence of pick-up basketball in New York City. Since then, Kevin has been exploring and documenting the sport's culture in more than 60 countries, establishing himself as the game's global explorer while revealing its boundless reach and power through exhibitions and publications.

His ability to capture stills, motion, and craft compelling narratives enables him to undertake a diverse range of short and long-form projects, leading to collaborations with renowned international entities such as Nike, Apple, and Hennessy, as well as cultural icons like LeBron James, Billie Eilish, Kobe Bryant, and Barack Obama.

Additionally, he devotes time throughout the year to Giants Of Africa, a non-profit organization leveraging basketball to educate and enrich the lives of youth in Africa.

Books & Publications

”Blacktop Memento, fragments of erosion”
published by Asphalt Chronicles & Common Practice - 2022

“When Basketball Inspires” - 2021
published by Trajectoire Studio (featured artist)

“The City Game” - 2020
published by Rizzoli Electa & MCNY (contributor)

Asphalt Chronicles
#03 Paris - 2017
#02 Dakar - 2016
#01 Manila - 2014
published by Asphalt Chronicles

Exhibitions

  • 2024
    "Giants of Africa"
    Commissioned by La Montgolfière, Paris
  • 2023
    "Heart of The City"
    commissioned by NYC Parks - The Arsenal Gallery, NYC
  • 2023
    "Remember The Why"
    commissioned by Adidas - Salt Lake City, USA
  • 2022
    ”Blacktop Memento”
    OFR bookstore - Paris, France
  • 2022
    ”House of Moves”
    commissioned by Hennessy - online
  • 2020
    ”The City Game”
    Museum of The City of New York
  • 2019
    ”Rise”
    commissioned by Trajectoire Studio - Paris, France.
  • 2018
    ”Sphere of Influence”
    commissioned by Jordan - Paris, France
  • 2017
    "Making Peace"
    commissioned by Making Peace - Toronto, Canada
  • 2017
    "Sphere of Influence"
    commissioned by the Mayor Office of Paris 9th district
  • 2017
    "Doin' It In The Park"
    Rush Art Gallery - New York City, USA
  • 2017
    "Raised"
    commissioned by Game Seven - W4 st courts, NYC.
Stills

Giants of Africa

The summer of 2016 left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. As a photographer and human being, I began a journey that would change my life forever. I joined a team of like-minded people who were shaped by a life in basketball, all sharing a mutual love for the game and a strong belief in its ability to change the world.

Giants of Africa was the name written on our chest; from East to West, our month-long journey took us to basketball camps and community outreach events in six countries: Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Botswana. Under a tight schedule, a dozen of us jumped in and out of aircrafts and navigated customs with copious amounts of gear for young campers in hand. Amidst the whirlwind, we found camaraderie during endless bus rides that left us with four short days at each camp location to train, teach, and plant the seeds of leadership in the minds of African youth. It was intense. Even though I was familiar with some aspects of the motherland, as a Frenchman, I was an outsider, a rookie who needed to prove himself tothe team and gain trust from Giants of Africa’s architects — Masai Ujiri and Godwin Owinje.

As a “witness with a lens” embarking on this new expedition, I quickly realized the non-profit’s mission transcends sport. From the on-court action to the mentoring sessions, it’s about spreading the gospel of empowerment and education, injecting self-confidence and ambition within the spirit of each and every boy and girl participating. Friendships grew quickly as we communicated through the universal language of basketball, creating a GOA family through shared experiences. One month evolved to multiple summers together as GOA became an annual tradition. Each of us willingly left our loved ones behind to support a cause greater than ourselves.

From the boundless pool of athletes in Nigeria, to the resilient refugee camps of Kenya, the images captured through my lens encapsulate the very essence of Africa's creativity and vitality and embody the aspirations of a young person striving for greatness, both on and off the court. This curated selection narrates the collective journey of the ‘Giants’ of Africa as they navigate the expansive terrain armed with nothing but a simple basketball, imparting hope to the future leaders of the continent.

giantsofafrica.org
@giantsofafrica

Uganda Full
Rwanda 01
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