This archive report was first published on 10 October 2019.
After a brief hiatus, Polka Dot Gallery has returned to Nairobi's art scene with a new exhibition at Ikigai House in Westlands. The gallery, formerly based at The Souk in Karen, was displaced when the property changed hands, but its team has been working temporarily in studio space in Karen.
According to David Gathumbi, the gallery's manager, the exhibition, titled 'The Ikigai Collection,' features art by Elias Mong'ora, Anne Mwiti, and Sungi Mlengenya. The three artists have one thing in common: their work has been in high demand, with many people expressing interest in buying their art.
One of the most striking aspects of the exhibition is the way the three artists balance each other dialectically. Mong'ora's elegant paintings of Nairobi's city streets are a far cry from the chaos of the real thing, while Mwiti's otherworldly pieces take the viewer on a journey to a psychic realm. Mlengenya's portraits of people, on the other hand, are a refreshing change from the machines and vehicles that dominate Mong'ora's work.
As David Gathumbi notes, 'We've received calls from the public asking to see artworks of all three artists. Those asking have also expressed interest in buying their art.'
The exhibition is a testament to the power of art to bring people together and to the importance of supporting local artists. With its unique blend of styles and themes, 'The Ikigai Collection' is a must-see for anyone interested in Nairobi's vibrant art scene.
