Check out our full listing of what’s on in the the art world here iN Nairobi, this weekend and in the month of October

LAST DAYS TO SEE

The Shifting Identites of Africa | Achieng Owira & Rosette Aweko

“African Aesthetic” (left) by Aweko Rossette and “Aminata” (right) by Achieng Owira 

Until 29 September

This exhibition by Achieng Owira and Aweko Rossette explores how cultures and lives in Africa are changing drawing on their individual lives, experiences and understanding of life in Kenya and Uganda.

National Art Gallery of Kenya, Nairobi National Museum @nationalartgalleryofkenya

The Unchosen Ones | Almogera Abdulbagy

Image courtesy of Ardhi Gallery

Until 30 September

Almogera’s paintings stimulate the viewer’s sense of beauty in various areas, moving from collage and insulation to pure abstract and bold figuration. He uses innovative mediums, materials, and concept elements, demonstrating familiarity with delicate operations that evoke spontaneous responses from viewers reflecting a transformative experience.

Ardhi Gallery, Ole Sangale Link Rd. @ardhigallery

OPENING THIS WEEKEND

Quadranscentennial | Thom Ogonga

Until 20 October

Quadranscentennial represents a recently created body of work that explores some of the themes and processes Ogonga has explored over his 25 year career, including different artistic approaches, techniques and media. The paintings and limited-edition woodcut prints look at physical human interactions in different settings and spaces and non-verbal communication in everyday situations. They highlight the current trend in the Nairobi social scene of using electronic banners as a tool of marketing and messaging that is deployed by mostly the younger generation to disenfranchise certain demographics in a bid to bypass them, as they negotiate sometimes contraband substances and illegal liaisons.
It is a playful representation of the sometimes precarious space that Nairobi is, often littered with substance abuse, excessive gambling and promiscuity, most of which is illegal but hidden in plain sight.

Flowers, Sun and Rain | Cyprian Rasto

Until 20 October

Rasto’s work is inspired by time and how people can actually travel through it and enjoy past moments. Rasto has also been influenced by artists such Francis Bacon, Chuck Close and Onyis Martin. Literature and work of the old Italian masters also shape his work and technique. Rasto’s creative process involves the reductive method as he scrubs off brush and pencil strokes, then goes back to add stencil and collage on top. He tends to embrace both vibrant and muted colors combined with a patterned background.

One Off Gallery, 28 Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate Road | www.oneoffcontemporaryartgallery.com

NEW EXHIBITIONS

AH SUH IT GUH – SO IT GOES – HIVYO NDIO KUNAENDANGA | Marina Burnel & Adam Masava

Opening reception Wednesday 2 October, 6:30pm | Until 10 October

A joint exhibition by Marina Burnel, French artist from Kingston, Jamaica, and Adam Masava, Kenyan artist, founder of Mukuru Art Collective. The common denominator in their work is the ubiquitous corrugated iron sheet. It is on these sun-worn, rust-stained, dust scratched iron sheets that the artists capture the subjects of their art influenced by their beliefs and the social forces in their daily environment.

Alliance Française, Utali Ln., CBD | @afnairobi

Reframing Neglect | Various Artists | Curated by Sarah Waiswa

Until 21 October
For the past couple of years, the END Fund’s @the_endfund “Reframing Neglect” exhibition has been exhibited around the world. Now this important exhibition has been brought to Nairobi by Sarah Waiswa @lafrohemien. Creative directed by contemporary artist and activist @aidamuluneh, “Reframing Neglect” highlights the need to end neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) globally. The exhibiting series includes works by photographers from seven African countries; through fine art and documentary photography, the artists highlight the weight of NTDs on individuals and communities, using art as a tool of shared human emotion while addressing the need to spread awareness of ending neglected diseases.
McMillan Memorial Library, Banda Street, CBD. Open Monday – Saturday.

Sonic Mass | Various Artists

Opening Friday 4 October | Until 31 October

Sonic Mass is one tangible outcome from our time of exploration in the listening and sounding workshop. The artists transform munyu. into a space where different sounds and narratives can come together, speak for themselves, get into conversation with each other, intermingle with and interrupt each other, and thus create new and unexpected thoughts.

Distant Relatives II | Kenneth (Kaymist) Otieno

Image courtesy of Nairobi National Museum
Opening 4 October | Until 31 October 

A solo exhibition by the renowned graffiti artist known for his iconic murals across the city, with the legendary Bomb Squad Crew (BSQ). Kaymist brings the energy and spirit of the streets into the gallery space.

Nairobi National Museum

Harmony | Camille Wekesa

Image courtesy of Red Hill Art Gallery
Opening reception Sunday 6 October | 11 am to 5 pm | Until 11 November
‘Artists have always recognized the sacred qualities of nature. I grew up on a farm in Western Kenya on the slopes of Mt Elgon where regular family camping trips brought my attention to the environment, nature, wildlife and climate which then became topics close to my heart. I spent 6 years at University in Italy studying ancient Art Techniques and Art History, finally returning to Kenya where I noticed a lack of landscape documentation and began my career painting Kenyan landscapes and forests creating large scale nature themed murals for private and corporate clients. Over the next few years I traveled extensively around Kenya recording landscapes in oil on canvas. – Camille Wekesa
Red Hill Art Gallery, off St. Julian’s Road, Gatatha Rd, RedHill www.redhillartgallery.com

Resonance of Time and Memory: A group exhibition featuring works from emerging African artists

“My Comfort I” by Romeo Niyigena

Opening reception Tuesday 8 October | 6pm | Until 11 November

Come experience the rich narratives woven into each artwork, exploring themes of time, memory, and identity through diverse African perspectives. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the artistic journeys of artists from Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Curated by Linda Chao Mbugua.

SenaArt Gallery X Under the Swahili Tree, Karen @undertheswahilitreekenya

WALKING ON A DREAM: Elias Mung’ora, Jared Onyango & Sandra Wauye

“Collectively Composting” by Sandra Wauye

Opening Thursday 03 October | Until 03 November 2024

The Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI), in collaboration with Untethered Magic, is proud to announce ‘Walking on a Dream’, an exhibition showcasing the evolving artistic journeys of three artists: Elias Mung’ora, Jared Onyango, and Sandra Wauye. The exhibition will feature ongoing bodies of work developed during their participation in the UJUZI program, an alternative artist mentorship initiative for artists based in Kenya. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to witness the evolving artistic processes of the artists, highlighting the ideas in progress emerging from their deep engagement in a process tht emphasizes deep research and contextual thinking.

Nairobi Contemporary Arts Institute (NCAI), Rosslyn Riviera Mall, Limuru Rd. @ncai254

Yesterday’s Price Is Not Today’s Price | Mihayo Kalaye

Opening reception Friday 4 October | 6pm-8pm | Until 29 November

Mihayo Kalaye (b. 1996, Tanzania) is a multidisciplinary artist based in  Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His work encompasses a wide range of media, including fabrics, photography, video, tattooing and found objects. With a focus on the post- colonial situation in Africa, decolonization, restitution and sustainability, his work delves into African history, spirituality, and politics.

Call for Donation of Books for Installation:
As part of Mihayo’s exhibition, he will be creating an installation piece that requires several books. We are kindly requesting for a donation of text books, magazines or novels that will be used as part of the installation piece. Please drop off the book donations at the TAAT gallery by Monday 30th September.

The African Arts Trust, Victoia Square, Riara Rd.| @theafricanartstrust

The Kenya Museum Society Affordable Art Show

Friday 25 – Sunday 27 October 

This event is a fantastic opportunity for art lovers to discover new talents, acquire unique pieces for their collections, or simply enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the art fair. It not only provides a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work, but also supports the local art community by promoting appreciation and engagement with art.

Friday 25 – by timed ticket on ticketsasa.com| Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 | 10am – 5pm | Free Entry | Live painting, art classes & more

ONGOING

Observation III | Samuel Njuguna

Affection by Samuel Njuguna

Until 3 October

In this vibrant exhibition, Njuguna brings his love for African landscapes, culture, and everyday life to life through his unique mixed-media artworks. His innovative use of colour and texture captures the beauty and complexity of Africa, offering visitors a chance to reflect on the world around them in new ways.

Banana Hill Art Gallery, Banana Hill

Edwin Jongo | Solo Exhibition

Until 5 October

Jongo’s work primarily explores the lifestyle of the common mwananchi (ordinary citizen) utilizing unique materials such as used cutting and grinding discs as well as thin piping cord. These matericals are arranged on canvas to create figures with geometric features, giving his innovative artwokrs a distinctive and modern edge.

Under the Swahili Tree, Karen @undertheswahilitreekenya

Shifting Tides II | Various Artists

See Also
Ardhi Gallery : Reflections of Resilience – A Retrospective by Wilson Kimunya

Image by Chesta Nyamosi

Until 5 October

A collaborative exhibition organized by 7ARTISTS and KOBO TRUST recognizing and showcasing the work of young professional artists currently residing in Kenya who are not represented by any commercial galleries or in collective art centers.  The exhibition explores themes of renewal, self-discovery and reinvention. These works of art captivate us on many levels: we are invited to explore ideas of self, community, legacy, and collective memory, drawing meaning from visual equations of shape and color. The twenty-four artists on show give us examples of how art can be used to rewrite a personal narrative, and are motivated to use their creativity to send a strong message of inclusion and unity in the arts.

The Kobo Artists Gallery, The Kobo Trust, 523 Riara Rd. @seven.artists

Wander | Derrick Munene

Until 07 October

Talisman Restaurant, Ngong Rd, Karen

The Feast of Art: East African Masters 1960 – 2024

Peace Series IV by Jak Katirikawe

Until 15 October 

An extravaganza showcasing the evolution of East Africa’s modern visual artistry. Explore diverse works from over 50 contemporary artists working on canvas, in stone, wood, glass, and more. Enjoy collections from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and beyond.

Village Market

Unstable Worlds| Souad Abdelrassoul

Until 19 October 
Abdelrassoul’s (Egyptian, b. 1974) practice spans various media, incorporating drawing, painting, sculpture and graphic design. Working between the abstract and figurative, she intertwines human, animal and vegetal forms, believing we are all intrinsically connected to the earth. Tree-like figures with branching veins and arteries, and giant insect-like creatures, merge on her canvases to remind the viewer of the vital bond between our internal lives and the exterior world we live in. Adopting a surrealist touch, Abdelrassoul’s paintings exalt in the feminine and the emotional. They explore the idea of the modern woman, informed by her own experiences of living within a patriarchal society.
Circle Art Gallery, Victoia Square, Riara Rd. @circleartagency

Years of Service | Various Artists

Until 9 November

A collaborative exhibition, curated by Jamey Ponte, around recycled materials showcasing bodies of work from artists Savior Juma, Bernard Musyoki, Njogu Kuria & John Ruitha. These artists have a history of utilizing post-consumer materials. Such materials can be viewed as having a past, having had a different story or purpose to the lives of consumers, in contrast to the current iterations that these artists have transformed them into via their various artistic processes, giving the materials new roles and visions, to be interpreted by the viewer.

HoF Gallery, Kibera @hofgallerykibera

Hakuna Utopia : Kairos Futura

Image courtesy of Kairos Futura

Until 25 November

Cutting edge arts futurist collective Kairos Futura presents their new exhibition which spans the city and considers definitions of utopia / dystopia… Hakuna Utopia? Read more about the exhibition.

The exhibition will continue at the Kairos Futura warehouse in the Industrial Area, plus in satellite locations in Mathare, Mukuru, Lucky Summer and the beautiful Nairobi Arboretum until 25 November. The Atelier is open for visits 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday or by appointment on the weekend.

https://www.thefutureisonearth.org/