This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
Published on June 17, 2020, Gilbert Ouma, a talented artist working at the National Museums of Kenya, has been using the Covid-19 lockdown to create a series of captivating paintings that delve into the realms of nurture, femininity, nature, and sensuality.
His artwork, which often features wildlife illustrations, is a reflection of his deep affection for the natural world. One of his notable pieces, Heavy Heart, is a monochrome painting of two young elephants standing head to head, their trunks intertwined in a loving gesture.
Another striking piece, Mother Tongue, showcases a pair of giraffes gently nuzzling the face of a young giraffe, evoking a sense of warmth and affection. Ouma's artwork has even been featured on greeting cards in Europe, a testament to its universal appeal.
However, Ouma's art also explores more profound themes, such as femininity and the human experience. His woman series, for instance, features nude artworks that celebrate the beauty of the female form, often with curvy thighs and voluptuous backsides.
One of his most thought-provoking pieces, Transition, is a semi-abstract painting that features a Maasai woman in the foreground of a dreamy scene of Nairobi city, with the outline of a woman painted in white in the background. This piece invites the viewer to contemplate the idea of transition and cultural identity.
Other notable pieces, such as Journey's End II and Come Rain or Shine, continue to explore the themes of culture, nature, and the human experience, each with its own unique perspective and emotional resonance.
