This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
Artistic Visions of the Future ¶
On August 16, 2019, an exhibition titled 'Kesho Kenya' opened at Alliance Française in Nairobi, showcasing the works of eight young artists who explore African identity and culture through the lens of Afro-futurism and African spiritualism.
The exhibition, curated by Celestine Wamiru and Stephen Nderitu of Karakana, features 35 artworks that blend traditional and modern elements, creating a unique and imaginative visual experience.
One of the standout pieces is 'Sage' by photographer James Gikonyo, which depicts a woman draped in a leopard cape, wearing an 'Afro' hairstyle, and holding an orb that connects her with electrified superpower.
Other notable works include Blaine29's colourful portraits of traditional medicine men, Native's painting of a 'medicine woman' from the Suri people of Ethiopia, and Sogallo's intricate line drawings of African masks and a map of Africa.
The exhibition also features musical imagery created by Joseph 'Ango' Makau, who paints instruments that he personally plays, often with a semiabstract style bordering on the surreal.
Through their works, the artists in 'Kesho Kenya' challenge traditional notions of time and space, creating a sense of fluidity and transcendence that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
