More art iNcoming at the galleries iN Nairobi, new shows, one off events & last chance to see – this weekend and in the month of November….
NEW LISTINGS & ONE DAY EXPERIENCES
Tales & Journeys: Suudi Kukumba & Damba Ismail | Banana Hill Art Gallery | Opening Friday 8 November | Until 3 January 2025
7 Artists Open Studios & Art Sale | 523 Riara Rd. | 9 – 23 November | 12 – 7pm
Tewas Art Gallery in collaboration with @seven.artists present their end-of-the-year ART SALE & OPEN STUDIO with a range of works and prices. Karibu!
When the Grapes Were Sour | Cheche Books | Sunday 10 November
A one day community exhibition for new stories from the ongoing project by Palestinian visual storyteller, Rasha Al Jundi.
The exhibition will feature the display of an audiovisual short in addition to a physical showcasing of selected embroidered images of Palestinians in exile, their stories reflecting the complexity of exile and the simplicity of their connectedness as Palestinians. The audience will have a chance to learn more about the project, how to engage with it through a talk with Rasha, the artist behind the project.
All minimum donations will go to direct mutual aid efforts on the ground in Gaza, from one Palestinian to another.
Hakuna Utopia Studio Visit | Kairos Futura X KaribuNairobi | Saturday 9 November
A visit to @kairosfutura’s exhibition, Hakuna Utopia? In Search of Micro-Utopias. The exhibition is an immersive experience that explores whether a perfect future really exists through some cool and thought-provoking installations.
The idea is to get you to think creatively and inspire action for the environment and our communities.
There will also be an interactive Kikao conversation on how art can truly make a difference, especially in tackling issues like pollution and climate change. Open to all ages.
Patrick Kinuthia | Solo Art Show | Rosslyn Riviera Mall | Friday 8 – Satruday 30 November
Nature’s Echo | Group Exhibition | Village Market Rooftop Exhibition Hall | Friday 8 – Sunday 24 November
Katush X TheStation | Shah Houses, Ngara | Until 14 November | 10am – 5pm | By Appointment Only
Doors are now open to the public for a limited period. The 10-year anniversary exhibition celebrates a decade of Katush, showcasing iconic designs, behind-the-scenes stories, and immersive art installations. From the brand’s early beginnings to its global impact, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of Katush and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of African fashion. Book your appointment here.
Fashioning a Nation – The Talks | Goethe-Institut | Curated by Sunny Dolat | 14 & 21 November | 6 – 8pm
Mark your calendars for 📌Thursday, Nov 14th, and 📌Thursday, Nov 21st for two evenings of engaging talks and unique insights into the intersections of fashion, culture, and national identity. This exhibition spotlights elements from Dolat’s ongoing study, sharing parts of the expanding list of contributors to this process – including designers, photographers, stylists, publications, and aficionados, showcasing their role as both participants and agents in shaping and defining Kenya’s post-liberation identity through dress and aesthetics. Exhibition closes 21 November.
📸: Courtesy of Camerapix from a campaign for Raymond Suiting, Oct 1980
Patterns of Beauty | Angela Fisher & Carol Beckwith | Tribal Gallery | Opening 15 November 6pm | RSVP required | Until 24 January
With an artists’ presentation on Sunday 8 December, Tribal Gallery presents the photographs of Angela Fisher & Carol Beckwith. Over the course of 35 years, photographers Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith have amassed an oeuvre that is equal parts art and anthropology, as remarkable for its raw aesthetic power as it is for its unparalleled access to the ceremonies and rituals of Africa’s tribes. The rapid pace of change on the continent, as children head for the cities, has given their work fresh urgency.
Agnes Waraguru – Marmalade Skies/Pelagia
Agnes Waruguru | Circle Art Gallery | Opening 20 November 6 – 8pm | Until 3 January 2025
Agnes Waruguru is interested in everyday materials, especially those associated with the home and daily routines. Her practice is a weaving of slow meditative processes and quick. reactive moments, at once formal and abstract, drawing together process and craft. Many – of her works reference traditions of women’s work, personal identity politics and traditional cultural identifiers as modes to engage with memory, place and expanding notions of home.. She draws from personal experience to create new landscapes which can often be memorya or emotionscapes that invite the viewer to look slowly, imagine and speculate
Sahej Rahal: Distributed Mind Test (DMT), 2023, Multiplayer videogame
Wayfinder | Sahej Rahal | NCAI | Opening 21 November | Until 1 March 2025
The Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI) is thrilled to present Wayfinder, a solo exhibition by celebrated Indian artist Sahej Rahal. ‘Wayfinder’ welcomes viewers into Rahal’s world, where myth, narrative, imagination, and technology intertwine to challenge conventional understandings of reality and encourage them to participate actively in Rahal’s ever-expanding cosmology. Rahal’s practice comprises a journey through evolving mythologies that span sculpture, performance, video, and digital media.
Humanimals | Dar Al Naim | Red Hill Art Gallery | Opening 17 November 11am – 5pm
In Humanimals, Dar Al Naim presents a deeply personal exploration into the nature of identity, intertwining human and animal consciousness to confront the complexities of the human psyche. This collection represents a profound study of the inner self, where the artist embraces the essence of our shared instincts with the animal world. Through introspection, embodiment, and an intuitive understanding of fundamentals drives, Dar Al Naim guides us to recognize the animal within, in its raw and unfiltered form. The exhibition draws on the allegorical weight of ancient fables, folklore, and fairy tales, long used to convey the intricacies of the human condition.
LAST CHANCE TO SEE
Years of Service | Various Artists| Hof Gallery | 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.
FRAGMNTS | Mutua Matheka | Junction Mall | Until 10 November | Entry fee
FRAGMNTS is an awe-inspiring immersive installation that weaves over a decade of his work. Capturing the rooftops of Nairobi since 2010, this exhibition invites you to experience the city’s heart—both its vibrant hope and its beautiful chaos—through a powerful blend of film, photography, and immersive audio-visuals.
Toggle Navigation | Abushariaa Ahmed | Tribal Gallery | Until 10 November
Semi-abstract, colourful mixed media works and intricate ink drawings characterized by ornamental and symbolic motifs of Nubian Heritage.
Harmony | Camille Wekesa | Red Hill Art Gallery | Until 10 November
ONGOING EXHIBITIONS
“Silent Reverie” by Tuyizere Jean Noel
Resonance of Time and Memory: A group exhibition featuring works from emerging African artists
| Under the Swahili Tree | EXTENDED until 18 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
Where Do I Begin | Florence Wangui | One Off Gallery | Until 24 November
‘Uhíí ní umagwo no úka ndumagwo’: ‘The literal translation is that the man comes out of ‘boyhood’ but the woman doesn’t come out of womanhood. This means that a man goes through initiation and fully attains certain rights but a woman regardless, isn’t entitled to any rights really…although it sounds just like another stereotype, there’s a truth to it. As I reflected upon these words of this Kikuyu proverb, I couldn’t help but do some introspection in regard to my recent hiatus and also to look around and to ask ‘is this all a woman is meant to be’?
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Alongside this solo show, in the Stable Gallery, we see a strong show of work by many of One Off’s Gallery Artists. We have three significant late entries to this show from Timothy Brooke and Anthony Okello. Of particular note are three large paintings by Richard Kimathi and a new series of ‘Superstars’ by Peter Ngugi. Patrick Karanja presents an exceptional series of four small urban landscapes, which display his considerable skill in watercolour technique. We are also thrilled that Elias Mung’ora has been able to produce two thought provoking pieces following on from his residency at NCAI. Also notable are the oil painting from Mark Lecchini, who continues to develop his practice and the two acrylic works by Baraka Shamia who also continues to ‘push the envelope’. Included in the show are vintage James Mbuthia and Harrison Mburu works; both elicit a smile. Lastly, we welcome photographer, Talitha Puri Negri who is a new addition to the One Off family and a talent to watch.
One Off Gallery, 28 Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate Road | www.oneoffcontemporaryartgallery.com
Image courtesy of Kairos Futura
Hakuna Utopia : Kairos Futura | Kairos Atelier | 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/
“A Symphony of Color- A nature story” | Chege Gitura | Until 30 November
Nairobi National Museum, Creativity Gallery
Yesterday’s Price Is Not Today’s Price | Mihayo Kalaye | The African Arts Trust | 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.