Nairobi — A State of Mind Cooperation Goethe-Institut Nairobi ...

In May 2009 the group made a successful contribution to
the Donaufestival in Krems, Austria, one of Europe’s largest
culture festivals, where they built a life-size replica of a
part of the Kibera slums in Nairobi and installed a pub, a
food shop, and a gallery, where they exhibited their
paintings. Maasai Mbili is represented in the permanent
collection of Casoria Contemporary Art Museum, Naples,
Italy.
James Muriuki
James Muriuki came across photography as another tool
for practicing art when he entered university to study
design. Here, photography was introduced as a basic unit,
and in the following months he bought his first camera. He
began occasionally making experimental snapshots, when
he was able to get the negatives printed. After university
he worked for some years at RaMoMA — Rahimtulla
Museum of Modern Art in various capacities.
In 2004, he was asked by Hanne Tierney of Fivemyles
Gallery, New York, to create a body of work to be included
in the »KenyaArt« exhibitions that were being showcased
in five galleries in New York. Subsequently, James has
created numerous works that have been included in many
important and seminal exhibitions, workshops, and
projects.
A recurring subject demonstrated in many forms and
presented as Town Series, is the transition and a record of
the urban space and its many attributes. As a resident of
Nairobi this is his primary observational space, but his
practice also extends to other urban spaces. The works are
an illustration of a confluence of interdependent
happenings in an ever-changing landscape.
Architectural forms and constructions are another visual
element that is evident in his work as a metaphorical
symbol. The forms raise numerous questions concerning
society and interactions within it. Some of these works are
presented as solid forms and lines, suggesting the
sculptural.
The works have been selected for inclusion in photographic
exhibitions on Africa and won several awards, amongst
others the pan-African photography contest in the African
Film Festival of Tarifa in Spain. He is also a founder
member of 3Collect, an artist’s collective engaging in
curatorial practice.
At present, he is experimenting with motion, video and
alternative ways of using photography and combining it
with other media – ultimately exploring photography as
both a medium and a process for making art. He has
collaborated with artists from different countries on new
works during residencies and workshops as well as
independently.
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