PAPER
ART PLEASES THE PUBLIC
By
Margaretta wa gacheru, March 5. 2014
How
many ways do you suppose ordinary paper can be used to create extra-ordinary works of art?
That
was the challenge the Circle Art Agency implicitly put to Kenyan and resident
artists when they recently sent them an online ‘call out’, inviting them to
take part in CAA’s third major exhibition simply entitled ‘Paper’.
Photoshopped Photo by Jim Chuchu at CCA Paper show. Pix by Qi Lin
What
we saw recently when CAA mounted their second ‘pop up’ exhibition (the term
referring the seemingly spontaneous, surprising and stunning nature of the
show) was more than 140 unique and imaginative ways that local artists found to
meet the CAA mandate.
Devising
everything from paintings, prints, collages and photographs on paper to
creating sculptures out of papier mache,
local artists rose to occasion by fashioning brand new works especially for
CAA.
Of
course, there were some artists who’d already started on their art projects
before getting the CAA call. Among them was Samuel Githui who had already begun
collaborating with a Kenyan contemporary dancer to see how he might capture the
energy and artistry of the dance on paper; but still his series of charcoal and
pen life drawings had never been exhibited before last weekend. They covered an
entire wall of one upstairs room in a spacious private home CAA managed to
obtain for the weekend.
Surprisingly
and by some serendipitous timing, CAA managed to find a space that was in
transition: The owners had moved out and the next residents hadn’t yet moved
in, so it was technically free for the careful usage by CAA who covered almost
every wall with ‘paper art’ of all kinds.
Forty-three
artists’ works were on show in the elegant polished wood-floored mini-mansion
situated on an eight-acre piece of land, much of which was packed with vehicles
on the show’s opening night.
Paper Twist by Prina Shah. Pix by Qi Lin
Sponsored
by CFC Bank and Absolut Vodka (which flowed freely throughout the opening), the
show was so surprising and diverse – both size- and content-wise -- that most
viewers seemed spell-bound as they moved from room to room and floor to floor
observing art that was engaging, occasionally amusing and original.
Take
for instance, Mbuthia Maina and Sam Hopkins’ photographic series on Kibera
slum’s rescued pets. It was touching at the same time it was witty to see
Maasai Mbili artists looking so earnest, seated not just with dogs and cats,
but with a rabbit and a goose.
Otherwise,
there were almost no other animal images (either wild or domestic) in this show
apart from Edward Chiselfingers’ galloping horses covered in
politically-charged newspaper clippings. The omission seemed to send a subtle
message, namely that the curators-directors (CAA’s own Danda Jaroljwek, Fiona
Fox and Arvind Vohara) aimed to avoid clichés and encourage the artists to
create work that is original and not simply devised with its market value in
mind.
In
fact, it is originality that is more likely to sell to discerning art buyers,
many of whom bought art during the exhibition.
Anthony Okello's Adam and Eve. Pix by Qi Lin
It’s
difficult to single out pieces that I found most appealing, although one thing
especially pleasing about the show was that so many artists seemed to
experiment with new styles and subjects.
For
instance, Beatrice Njoroge’s newest work seemed to have gotten more surreal,
less maudlin; Jacob Barua’s architectural photographs had a powerful
Escher-esque effect; Simon Mureithi’s embossed black and white miniatures
contrasted sharply with his earlier style which was bright and colourful; Ato
Malinda who made a name for herself here as a performance artist, revealed
herself to be a skilful drafts(wo)man at the CAA show; her drawings were
refreshingly whimsical; and Dennis
Muraguri left his matatu art long enough to create mixed media masks just as
meticulous as his earlier semi-abstract metallic masks, only these two seemed
to be having a laugh on us for taking the art all too seriously!
From
the overall look of CCA’s paper art show, one couldn’t help feeling something
wonderful is happening in Nairobi s art world, and CAA is simultaneously taping
into it as well as being a catalyst for it. By so doing, they’re playing an
active role by encouraging artists’ originality and experimentation such as was
seen this past weekend.
Nairobi Light by Kenyan photographer/filmmaker Jacob Barua. Pix by Qi Lin
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