Remember Collins Okello? The Artist who Drew Portraits of Both Uhuru and Obama? He’s Back and What’s He’s Doing Will Definitely Drive Social Media into a Frenzy
Musicians have come, they have seen and it’s pretty obvious they have conquered; okay; At least some of them. Looking at the likes of Sauti Sol, who have come up from nothing to become something and with us showing them immense support, they are now a national treasure.
They can now comfortably afford to buy shoes worth a whooping Ksh 250,000 and cruise around in German cars. But what about our other artists? The ones who use paint and paper to create magical exhibitions which we hang in our house and brag to our friends while sipping some scotch spending hours on end trying to decipher what they mean?
I think they need support to, encouragement and trust me the fence has already being cleared by Villa Rosa Kempinski and all you have to do is join in and from there on the sky will be the limit. You can start off by attending Wasanii Jukwaani which is an annual event whose aim is to create a platform for young upcoming artists to showcase their skill. The artists will spend the week at the Villa Rosa Kempinski, working on the special piece of art. They will be positioned at the guests’ areas, where they will have the opportunity to interact with the hotel guests, as well as lovers of art, and take them through a step –by-step process of how they come up with their unique pieces. Each year, Wasanii Jukwaani, will have a theme towards which a potion of the proceeds will be directed to.
The 2016 edition is already here and it started on Monday scheduled to end on Friday. Kenyan artists, who have been carefully selected, based on their artistic prowess, including Collins Okelo, famously renowned for sketching Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Barack Obama’s portrait, will be working on a special art on various medium to create new and original artworks in the hotel. There will be an auction of these pieces on Saturday 30th April from 1800hrs, an ‘invite only’ event hosted by Villa Rosa Kempinski.
This year’s theme is ‘Conservation of Elephants”. The artists have however been given a lee-way to create their own-inspired art to allow them to showcase their best. 20% of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Wild Aid for Elephant Conservation
Make your way down there and just see how Kempinski has embraced Art and a creative lifestyle as a way of expression something which is deeply entrenched in Africa.
The artists scheduled to showcase include:
Artist: Clavers Odhiambo.
Location: The Dust Depo Studios, Nairobi County
Medium: Oil and acrylic paints.
Style: Realism heading towards hyperrealism.
Education: B.A. Design student, University of Nairobi.
Citation: Odhiambo has been practicing art since 2013. He gets most of his inspiration from Renaissance art and defines his artworks as realistic. Odhiambo works around human figures, bodies, and likes exploring skin textures such as old faces and wrinkled skin. He has successfully participated in 23 art exhibitions, events and takes his paintings as a way of challenging his already existent artistic skills.
Artist: Jessica Atieno
Location: Kuona Trust Art Centre, Nairobi County
Medium: Acrylics, pastels and charcoal
Style: Fine and graphic art
Education: Degree in graphic arts, Technical University of Kenya
Citation: Atieno works in an array of mixed media and installation to explore themes of feminism, modernity and political justice, with special inspiration drawn from the woman’s place in society. Her works have been exhibited in various shows across Kenya as well as in the East African region.
Artist: James Njoroge
Location: Mwihoko, Kiambu County
Medium: Various platforms
Style: Juxtaposed elements
Education: Kenyatta University, 2012
Citation: Njoroge has loved art since he was small. Raised by a single mother, his inspiration is pegged on everything he has undergone in his life. His experiences during his upbringing and observations of everything that surround him are the basis of his art. He has done solo exhibition at the National Museums of Kenya in 2013 and various joint exhibitions including the Circle Agency ‘Paper’ & ‘Paper II’ show. Njoroge aims to fight injustices with his art.
Artist: Boniface Maina
Location: Tu Art Studio, Nairobi County
Medium: Painting and drawing
Style: Surreal, figurative and sometimes provocative
Citation: Maina has been practicing visual art since 2009. His work is inspired by practically anything that sparks or triggers a reaction in him. He thinks of himself as an evolutionary artist because his work evolves with time. As an artist, he looks to spark conversations, provoke or stir emotions with his work.
Artist: Kevin Irungu
Location: Masai Mbili Collective, Nairobi County
Medium: Painting and recycled objects
Style: Installation and contemporary art
Citation: 29 year old Irungu started as a street artist doing signage for shops in Kibera before starting to show in the gallery. Today he works on a blend of signage and a contemporary touch in his works and has participated in many local and international workshops, exhibitions and projects.
Artist: Samuel Githui
Location: Own Studio, Nairobi County
Medium: Painting and drawing
Style: Between Impressionism and Expressionism
Education: Diploma in Fine Art & History, Creative Arts Centre
Citation: Samuel’s work genre depicts the day to day impressions of the people and typical activities around him, political subjects, personal issues affecting him and the people around him. Samuel has travelled and has shown his work globally but lives in Nairobi where his inspiration is much more prominent; His current practice tries to investigate the ever moving and shifting societal trials and tribulations that has always been part and parcel of him.
Artist: Mosoti Kepha
Location: Kuona Trust Art Centre, Nairobi County
Medium: Wood, metal & wires
Style: Semi- Abstract paintings and mixed media sculptures
Education: Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts
Citation: 36 year old Mosoti has been practicing art for the past 10 years. He is inspired by shapes and objects and enjoys the connection that all these bring in his work. He uses art to capture life’s beauty and to make it permanent. This can be seen through his most recent works. He has had his work published in the Star Magazine as well as the East African Magazine.
Artist: Joseph Weche
Location: Mukuru, Nairobi County
Medium: Painting on Canvas
Style: Expressionism
Citation: Weche has been practicing art for the past 8 years. The 28 year old is drawn to art by his ability to pass a massage with his bare hands- through a painting. He is inspired by the environment, his interactions with people from different walks of life, and the connections that different people have with each other and with their environment. He mostly captures issues that affect the society such as health and the economy.
Artist: Collins Okello
Location: Own Studio, Kisumu County
Medium: Charcoal and acrylics
Style: Versatile- Combination of Realism and Abstract Art
Education: Bachelor of Commerce, JKUAT
Citation: 27 year old Okello is renowned for being commissioned to create a painting of President Barrack Obama- a painting he was gifted during his maiden visit to Kenya in 2015. He has also drawn a painting of President Uhuru Kenyatta, gifted to the Kenyan president on his birthday. Okello draws his inspiration from nature- capturing moments in nature such as faces and landscapes, with a special focus on human figures.
Artist: Shabu Mwangi
Location: Wajukuu Arts Project, Nairobi County
Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Style: Contemporary Art
Education: Certificate in Art Therapy
Citation: Shabu would like for the world to see what he can do with his mere hands. He is inspired by what is happening in the society at the moment. The 30 year old Art Therapy professional has showcased his work in both local and international galleries with some of his paintings being displayed in collective shows in the USA and Germany.
Artist: Handerson Kiruri
Location: Korogocho, Nairobi County
Medium: Painting, Graffiti
Style: Unconventional Art
Citation: Growing up in the vibrant neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kiruri was inspired by the street art on public service vehicles “matatus”. This “unconventional” art form was supper creative, stuck a major cord in his mind and drew him to art. He then ventured into street art because it is relevant, aesthetically appealing and full of content that is thought provoking. This form of art requires a very conscious mind, concrete research, daring charm and guts, all which Kiruri is known for.
If you seek to gather more information on the same, please contact:
Mwingirwa Kithure– Marketing & PR Manager
Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi
P.O. BOX 14164-00800
Chiromo Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel + 254 703 049 000 + 254 730 125 000
Fax 020 230 8 819 Mobile +254 731 999 694
www.kempinski.com ·
