Lions invade the concrete jungle

Kiundu Waweru

The lion has roared in town, and you probably have met him. He is in every street corner, majestically appearing in every hue and colour, and instead of people running from him, they come closer, and reach out their hands, to feel the texture of this artistic creation.

Indeed, each lion sculpture, made from fiberglass life size canvasses, is designed and decorated by local artists. Each artist came up with their unique concepts themed on the relevance of the organisers agenda, Born Free Foundation, highlighting the need to protect lions and their habitats.

And the public art display showcases the artists’ creative mind, capturing the people’s imagination. They have used different materials from paint to plastic to newspaper cuttings and glass to aptly pass a message. Ole lion, at Sarit Centre, has been decorated with colourfully painted glass with a spear darting from its mane depicting the Maasai culture. Painted by glass artists, Nani Croze, Edith Njoroge and Veronica Mutungi, they say, "As we live and work among the Maasai, the theme had to be that; the colourful decorations but also the dangerous spear, emphasizing the balance found in the bush of Kenya."

Obamamania

And going around the corner to Mama Ngina Street, you come upon Obama, painted by Kevin Esendi, it shows a portrait of the US President and the country’s’ flag. Esendi proudly says, "Obama! An African who went on to become the President of the United States of America. That takes the courage of a lion!" Also a renowned artist, Patrick Mukambi’s lion, painted in beautiful, blooming leaves, adds a breath of fresh air at Kencom. Named Echo Lion, Patrick simply says, "I was inspired by nature and environmental issues."

But perhaps the most outstanding creation, that is bound to generate interest to the lovers of paintings, is the sculpture at Westgate. The Born Free Foundation Regional Representative, Alice Owen says that the free to view public art exhibition is designed to create awareness to the Kenyan public about the situation of the lions in Kenya. "In the wild today, only 2,100 lions remain and if the situation persists, in 20 years, the lions will be extinct. Towards this end, Born Free came up with this idea that borders on three issues, Creativity as in art, citizenship/ ownership thus the public display and three, creating conservation awareness."

Owen adds that they commissioned 50 artists, and approached companies that had to sponsor a lion. "The sculptures are in and about Nairobi and they will be in display for two months after which we will have a gala auction dinner on November 6. Money from the auction will go towards the conservation of this once pride of Kenya."