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

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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. Page 8 | 14
James lives and works in Nairobi, and his work has been exhibited and is represented in collections in Kenya, South Africa, the USA, Denmark, Spain, and Germany amongst other countries. Kevo Stero Born Kevin Irungu and raised in Kibera, he dropped out of school early, was a pickpocket and only later a visual artist. Kevin was named »Kevo Stero« because of his local reputation for trying to perfect foolishness. Two years later he accidentally found himself an art studio and did what every con artist would do, changed his name to »irosh.« He has practiced art ever since and has now participated in many local and international workshops, exhibitions, and projects. Selected exhibitions: Le rustique restaurant Nairobi (2012); Conversations in silence, Goethe-Institut, Nairobi (2011); Nairobi Province art exhibition, Godown Arts Centre, Nairobi (2010); Maasai Mbili Exhibition, Talisman restaurant, Nairobi (2010); I love Nairobi, an Urban Mirror project on Kibera streets, t-shirts and on Nairobi commuter trains (2010). Studio Propolis Established in 2005 and based in Nairobi’s industrial area, Studio Propolis is a collaboration between Naeem Biviji and Bethan Rayner. They bring their skills as UK trained architects and furniture makers to run a full service design workshop focusing on crafting imaginative, quality spaces and furniture. Working across disciplines and scales, their design approach seeks to reconnect the gap between design and craft, by thinking through making. They combine an enjoyment of studio-based work with a direct involvement in the process of making that underpins their design methodology. Bethan Rayner studied architecture at the University of Edinburgh completing her masters degree in 2003. She has worked in architecture practices in the UK, USA, and Mexico and has had an apprentice style education as a furniture maker in Scotland. Naeem Biviji studied architecture at the University of Edinburgh completing his masters degree in 2004. He has worked in India and has had experience as a joiner, builder, and site manager in Kenya and Scotland. Page 9 | 14
Page 1 and 2: KUB Arena 2012.04 | Press release N
Page 3 and 4: What they all share is reference to
Page 5 and 6: Short Biographies Jacob Barua Jacob
Page 7: Peterson Kamwathi Waweru Peterson K
Page 11 and 12: Maasai Mbili, Chokora Wear, 2011 Wh
Page 13 and 14: Partners and Sponsors The Kunsthaus

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