This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
Published on July 4, 2019, Kenyan artist Kamau Kariuki has carved a niche for himself with his uncommon creative style.
His realistic black and white portraits, which at first glance resemble pointillism, are actually hyperrealism broken down to a constructivism art style where the painting becomes functional, according to Kariuki.
"It's hyperrealism broken down to a constructivism art style where the painting becomes functional," says Kariuki of his artwork.
On closer inspection of his acrylics on canvas, you can see the tiny, irregular shapes that form the picture, which he achieves by painting the pixels, the smallest element in a photograph, mostly in black and white.
He also incorporates an impasto technique that gives the image a three-dimensional look, a methodology that Kariuki, a self-taught artist, has developed after much experimentation.
His portraits show full faces or partial close-ups, with amazing incorporation of detail, and are also very expressive because you sense the mood of the subject.
Some of his portraits are on display at the Nairobi National Museum, and more of his work can be viewed on his website.
