Fresh start and growth underlying themes at art event

Part of an art exhibition by The Seven Artists, a group from Kobo Trust along Riara road. (Courtesy)

The Seven Artists from Kobo Trust along Riara road exhibited 36 artworks at the gallery for an art sale and open studio event.  

The Seven Artists is a group of artists comprised of established artists Onyis Martin, Lemek Tompoika, Paul Njihia, David Thuku, Nadia Wanjiru, Muthoni Mwangi, Deng Chol, Onesmus Okamar, Cyprian Rasto, and Taabu Munyoki. The art pieces ranged from figurative to abstract paintings.

Muthoni Mwangi’s artworks ‘Alternative’ and ‘Alter’ are of confident women, her main subjects. She creates collage pieces from magazine cut-outs to tell stories about women empowerment, mental health and human connections.

In ‘From the Intents of the Heart’ by Onesmus Okamar, is of a peaceful and contented woman who is reflecting and counting her blessings while looking into a mirror. ‘United with Love’ shows a man holding a woman and in ‘Aminata Diary’, Onesmus paints the subject again in a peaceful stature while holding a diary. “She is taking into account the details of her life as she prospects about the future with keenness,” he explains.

These are among the pieces from the ongoing ‘Aminata’ series. In his previous works, Onesmus’s subjects were adorned in colourful clothes, a very different approach from his less colourful approach to his most recent works. “I decided to use fewer colours because I want the audience to get straight into the details. I want to be precise in my artistry. This is a fresh start to my work,” he says.  

“The market is selling women as an idea. It has been since but it is more common now than ever,” says Urban Omutoto, an artist.

Nadia Wanjiru’s style has also evolved. She moved from using acrylic on canvas to paint snakes, to experimenting with watercolours and charcoal, and to now using acrylics, screen printing and charcoal on canvas.

Her current subjects are of big-bodied male figures.

‘They Said He is Nonchalant’ by the artist was a reference image from a story she was told. She took the description from the story to create a work. She screen-printed flowers above the man’s cold face to add femininity and softness to the piece.

‘Feel Free to Call Me’ depicts a reliable person whenever someone is in need of their help even though he is judged for his body size.

One of the curators of this show, Thadde Tewa of TewasArt Gallery is aiming to sell the artworks.

“I wanted to support my friends for doing impactful work of also showcasing pieces by emerging artists in previous exhibitions. Most of their exhibitions are self-funded and we are looking for ways we can get funding to be able to do more shows and work with more emerging artists,” says Thadde.

Thadde says that the Seven Artists launched a website, 7artistsnairobi.org,  to reach the wider international art market.

He adds: “The local art market is affected by the slow economy. Most locals buy art when they want to, not as a necessity. Most artists are depending on the international audiences from social media platforms like Instagram and by participating in international shows. We also have incredible expat community that supports these initiatives.” The exhibition ends on November 23.