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2nd PLACE: Practicing Artist Category

NAME: Benson Gicharu

TITLE: Pata Potea

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 118 x 74 cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: Whatever it takes to earn a living in Nairobi. The familiar and unfamiliar paths, straight or crooked, to make ends meet.

2nd PLACE: Practicing Artist Category NAME: Benson Gicharu TITLE: Pata Potea MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 118 x 74 cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: Whatever it takes to earn a living in Nairobi. The familiar and unfamiliar paths, straight or crooked, to make ends meet. ARTIST PROFILE: A self-described activist, Benson says he likes to think outside the box and offer a view challenging conventionally held perspectives. Benson gives voice to the daily life struggles of ordinary people and dares to say what others will not.Views Judges' Quotes William Ndwiga The artist takes us to the kiosk down the road where we buy our ‘kibiriti’ (match box). He invites us into a familiar and relatable scene in our city. Emily Odongo The storytelling in this piece is extremely powerful, and it is a story about Kenya and Africa. If you place this piece in a gallery abroad and a Kenyan happens to walk by, she will immediately recognize the familiar scene from home.    Benson captures a scene I am likely to encounter if I walk three blocks down the road from home. The creativity in his use of material is perfectly executed, and the artist has clearly put some thought into this work.  […]
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2nd PLACE: Student Artist Category

NAME: Steven Kiiti

TITLE: Breaking News

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 58 (L) x 5 (W) x 46 (H) cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: This work offers a reflection on the Corona virus, the news cycle and the changes in behavior since the virus spread to Kenya.

2nd PLACE: Student Artist Category NAME: Steven Kiiti TITLE: Breaking News MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 58 (L) x 5 (W) x 46 (H) cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: This work offers a reflection on the Corona virus, the news cycle and the changes in behavior since the virus spread to Kenya. ARTIST PROFILE: Steven is a self-teaching artist based in South B. His inspiration lies in the rigor and vagaries of everyday life.Judges' Quotes William Ndwiga The artist manages to make himself a member of the audience taking in this work, looking in at the piece with the rest of us. A very clever piece and choice of media. Emily Odongo Stephen Kiiti works outside the box, using his creativity and the material to tell a story which is at once funny and serious. Using recycled material, he brings a used item back to life, producing an interesting piece.  Don Handa This work is more topical, and the artist really leans into the use of the material to create and send a message. The use of the TV frame and newspaper speaks to media which a lot of people interact with. The news content which we consume on TV and in newspapers […]
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NAME: Victor Nderitu

TITLE: Still Hoping

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 50 x 50 x 50 cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A celebration of resilience.

NAME: Victor Nderitu TITLE: Still Hoping MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 50 x 50 x 50 cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A celebration of resilience. ARTIST PROFILE: Ruiru-born artist Victor Nderitu says he is inspired by life in general and not giving up.
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NAME: Austine Omondi

TITLE: Naibot

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 152.4 x 60.96 cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A representation of hope despite death and destruction.

NAME: Austine Omondi TITLE: Naibot MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 152.4 x 60.96 cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A representation of hope despite death and destruction. ARTIST PROFILE: Kayole-based, self-taught artist Austine draws inspiration from the stages of life. He finds beauty in each stage, including decay. He uses found materials to create some of his pieces.Views
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NAME: Joseph Mbiyu

TITLE: Reminisce

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 81.28 x 66.04 cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: COVID-19 has disrupted lives and relationships. This piece reflects on the pain and loneliness caused by that disruption.

NAME: Joseph Mbiyu TITLE: Reminisce MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 81.28 x 66.04 cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: COVID-19 has disrupted lives and relationships. This piece reflects on the pain and loneliness caused by that disruption. ARTIST PROFILE: Joseph is a graduate of the Buru Buru Institute of Fine Arts and is based at the Brush Tu Studio. He uses recycled material to explore the entropic nature of life.
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Judges’ Special Mention

NAME: David Muchai

TITLE: Make Peace Not War

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 195 x 42 x 45 cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A clarion call for reconciliation and love in a society increasingly characterized by self-interest, social challenges, mental health issues and violence.

Judges' Special Mention NAME: David Muchai TITLE: Make Peace Not War MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 195 x 42 x 45 cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A clarion call for reconciliation and love in a society increasingly characterized by self-interest, social challenges, mental health issues and violence. ARTIST PROFILE: Based in Kahawa, this artist finds inspiration in nature, and in the interaction of people in their daily lives.Views Judges' Comment Click here to readThis is a competition and not everyone can be a winner. We looked at a large body of work. In the established artist category alone, we saw about 140 pieces of work by various artists in different media addressing various subjects. The works we include in the Judges’ Mention are works which, though not necessarily winners, set themselves apart. They stand out in their creator’s execution of the theme and approach to the subject matter. These pieces demonstrate that the artists have thought clearly about their subject, and reflect a considered approach to medium, idea and presentation. These artists have worked hard to respond to the theme, and to have the theme meet their own practice and interests in a way that does more than recount a certain idea or […]
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NAME: Kevin Karuga

TITLE: Who is Tola?

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: Installation

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A performative installation exploring human interaction with butterflies. The work is a reaction to the death of a friend, and asks the question, ‘How do we react in situations like this?’ The objective of this piece is three-fold storytelling, remembrance, and self-realization. A tribute to a fallen artist.

NAME: Kevin Karuga TITLE: Who is Tola? MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: Installation ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A performative installation exploring human interaction with butterflies. The work is a reaction to the death of a friend, and asks the question, ‘How do we react in situations like this?’ The objective of this piece is three-fold storytelling, remembrance, and self-realization. A tribute to a fallen artist. ARTIST PROFILE: Kevo is based at the Maasai Mbili Collective in Kibera, working with the same artists he says have nurtured his craft.  Born and brought up in Nairobi, his work is inspired by everyday events, and the connections between situations, actions, and reactions.Views
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Judges’ Special Mention

NAME: Franklin Kiragu

TITLE: Dragged from the Throne of Nairobi

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 17 x 20 x 12 cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A depiction of the political battle that saw the removal of the former Nairobi governor.

Judges' Special Mention NAME: Franklin Kiragu TITLE: Dragged from the Throne of Nairobi MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 17 x 20 x 12 cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A depiction of the political battle that saw the removal of the former Nairobi governor. ARTIST PROFILE: Franklin holds a degree in Fine Arts and is based in Kasarani.Views Judges' Comment Click here to readThis is a competition and not everyone can be a winner. We looked at a large body of work. In the established artist category alone, we saw about 140 pieces of work by various artists in different media addressing various subjects. The works we include in the Judges’ Mention are works which, though not necessarily winners, set themselves apart. They stand out in their creator’s execution of the theme and approach to the subject matter. These pieces demonstrate that the artists have thought clearly about their subject, and reflect a considered approach to medium, idea and presentation. These artists have worked hard to respond to the theme, and to have the theme meet their own practice and interests in a way that does more than recount a certain idea or just narrate a basic notion of what Nairobi is. This work […]
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Judges’ Special Mention

NAME: Franklin Kiragu

TITLE: The New Normal in Nairobi

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: 40 x 30 x 45 cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A reflection on the changes in the community due to COVID-19.

Judges' Special Mention NAME: Franklin Kiragu TITLE: The New Normal in Nairobi MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: 40 x 30 x 45 cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: A reflection on the changes in the community due to COVID-19. ARTIST PROFILE: Franklin holds a degree in Fine Arts and is based in Kasarani.Views Judges' Comment Click here to readThis is a competition and not everyone can be a winner. We looked at a large body of work. In the established artist category alone, we saw about 140 pieces of work by various artists in different media addressing various subjects. The works we include in the Judges’ Mention are works which, though not necessarily winners, set themselves apart. They stand out in their creator’s execution of the theme and approach to the subject matter. These pieces demonstrate that the artists have thought clearly about their subject, and reflect a considered approach to medium, idea and presentation. These artists have worked hard to respond to the theme, and to have the theme meet their own practice and interests in a way that does more than recount a certain idea or just narrate a basic notion of what Nairobi is. This work does more than simply play […]
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NAME: James Dundi

TITLE: Model/Mresh

MEDIUM: Metal

DIMENSIONS: 152.4 (H) cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: Dundi turns the spotlight on the beautiful women of Kibera. He shows off their fashion sense and impeccable taste in wardrobe sourced from the heaps of ‘vintage’ clothing on sale at Toi Market.

NAME: James Dundi TITLE: Model/Mresh MEDIUM: Metal DIMENSIONS: 152.4 (H) cm ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: Dundi turns the spotlight on the beautiful women of Kibera. He shows off their fashion sense and impeccable taste in wardrobe sourced from the heaps of ‘vintage’ clothing on sale at Toi Market. ARTIST PROFILE: Dundi honed his craft under the tutelage of artist Kota and the Maasai Mbili Collective. He says his greatest inspiration is the opportunity to recycle junk metal collected from homes that have burnt down in Kibera and other spaces. He tells his story about Kibera through an optimistic and positive lens.Views
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Judges’ Special Mention

NAME: Dickson Nedia Were

TITLE: The Conversants

MEDIUM: Mixed Media Sculpture

DIMENSIONS: 152.1 (H) cm

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: My work is about the social conversations that women usually have when they gather, for example on different hairstyles at the salon. The same conservations will happen among men, discussing how beautiful the women are based on their physical features only. Nairobi men will always talk about Nairobi ladies (Madem wa Nai)

Views Judges' Comment Click here to readThis is a competition and not everyone can be a winner. We looked at a large body of work. In the established artist category alone, we saw about 140 pieces of work by various artists in different media addressing various subjects. The works we include in the Judges’ Mention are works which, though not necessarily winners, set themselves apart. They stand out in their creator’s execution of the theme and approach to the subject matter. These pieces demonstrate that the artists have thought clearly about their subject, and reflect a considered approach to medium, idea and presentation. These artists have worked hard to respond to the theme, and to have the theme meet their own practice and interests in a way that does more than recount a certain idea or just narrate a basic notion of what Nairobi is. This work does more than simply play to our ideas of Nairobi. Each artist has put their best foot forward and deserve recognition for it. 
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Judges’ Special Mention

NAME: Martin Jakaila Otieno

TITLE: Sounds and Voices of Nairobi

MEDIUM: Mixed Media

DIMENSIONS: Interactive Installation

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: The sights and sounds of Nairobi – from motorcycles to helicopters, and the voice of the ‘manamba’ at work.

Judges' Special Mention NAME: Martin Jakaila Otieno TITLE: Sounds and Voices of Nairobi MEDIUM: Mixed Media DIMENSIONS: Interactive Installation ARTWORK DESCRIPTION: The sights and sounds of Nairobi – from motorcycles to helicopters, and the voice of the ‘manamba’ at work. ARTIST PROFILE: Martin Jakaila’s work attends to the theme of environmental conservation. He uses found objects to create his interactive art pieces.Views Judges' Comment Click here to readThis is a competition and not everyone can be a winner. We looked at a large body of work. In the established artist category alone, we saw about 140 pieces of work by various artists in different media addressing various subjects. The works we include in the Judges’ Mention are works which, though not necessarily winners, set themselves apart. They stand out in their creator’s execution of the theme and approach to the subject matter. These pieces demonstrate that the artists have thought clearly about their subject, and reflect a considered approach to medium, idea and presentation. These artists have worked hard to respond to the theme, and to have the theme meet their own practice and interests in a way that does more than recount a certain idea or just narrate a […]
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