Welcome back to our International Artist Series.
Today
we’re catching up with five incredible artists from Kenya, home of incredible art, food, wildlife, and people in the heart of East Africa. I asked each artist how
their country and culture inspired their work, and they delivered great
responses.
Alutheartist
First up is Alutheartist from Nairobi, Kenya. A graphic designer and self-taught illustrator, Al’s dope illustrations feature a cool, laid-back style with bold colors.
Check out his work below or see more in his portfolio.
Masks
Living in Kenya is awesome. I am a Kenyan by birth. I love the mix
of the urban and rural environment. Fancy some sun and sand? Go to the world renowned beaches of
Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi. Fancy seeing some wildlife? Visit the
national parks and game reserves! The sense of freedom, opportunity for adventure,
and physical beauty of the place are what propel my love for Kenya.
Gang
Kenyan culture is a fascinating way of life that blends the traditions
of thousands of years of African social evolution with the modern
influences of the 20th century. The multifaceted culture of Kenya is
expressed in different forms. Combined with other traditions, these
forms of expression and lifestyle form an identity that is uniquely
Kenyan. The blend and diversity in culture is what influences me to
create and add to the ever growing culture.
Masks 2
Lil Uzi Vert
Even though Kenya may have less art galleries than many other
countries, it has invaluable artistic wealth. We’re a community that continuously uplifts and
supports each other by sharing knowledge, collaborating and giving
feedback. The art community here
is flourishing in diversity.
Dante Metaphor
Dante is a digital artist specializing in 3D and motion graphics design in Nairobi, Kenya. His work features insane 3D illustrations of epic titles, tech concepts and more.
Check out his work below or see more in his portfolio.
Africa Rise
I love living in Kenya because of the people and diverse culture. We
have 42 ethnic communities here so the diversity in the art and culture scene is
amazing.
Maasai Mech
I
draw a lot of inspiration from traditional cultural artwork and also from
local artists who I find absolutely amazing.
iPhone 8 Concept
Neo Nairobi Droid
The art community is
not huge but it’s rapidly growing. We have some very talented artists in
all genres, from traditional painters and sculptors to more recently
very talented digital artists. It would be nice to see more
Kenyan artists featured in foreign publications though I’m sure it
will happen soon.
Nyambura Kariuki
Nyambura is a digital artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Her delightful illustrations feature fashionable characters with magical personalities.
Check out her work below or see more in her portfolio.
Eclectic
I love the weather here! It’s
generally warm and well-behaved throughout the year because we’re so close to the equator. Also, healthy food is relatively cheap. I can have a full
meal with vegetables and all for as little as 40 US cents depending on
where I am, in and around Nairobi.
AfroPunk
Kenyan culture has influenced my work with
its humor and color. Life can get hectic, to put it mildly, here. We
cope by laughing irreverently at everything and anything. Despite the
hardships, millennials here want to identify with global pop
culture and I try to inject our point of view into that larger canvas.
Definitely for Fatties
Black Girl Magic
The art community here is vibrant and energetic. But before you can get the opportunity to create art purely,
you’ll really struggle. A lot of us
have second careers or more “viable” degrees in order to keep bills
paid. This
year I intend to grow my own voice by doing more personal projects.
Paul Karanja
Next up is Paul Karanja, a multidisciplinary graphic designer and art director based in Nairobi, Kenya. He creates fantastic logos and branding packages comprised of great style and minimalist details.
Check out his work below or see more in his portfolio.
Logos & Marks: Kenyatta University Hospital
There is a rich
style of art which creates a great environment for any artist to grow
in here. My work is all about helping brands stand out through
the use of well-thought branding and visual identities.
Kenyatta University Hospital Branding
I am a great believer of less is
more. I like to observe a lot and use my surroundings as inspiration.
Particularly with color, I love how well
harmonized color is in nature. I also love studying African patterns and
prints.
Nendo Logo and Icons
Nendo Branding
Fine Art, Photography and Design are
the most active fields of art here but there are creatives pushing the
envelope in other fields too. With my passion for branding I hope I can encourage more
people to join the space, and change the branding scene in Kenya,
particularly in Nairobi.
Kelvin Shani
Kelvin is a multifaceted artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. His animation style is fun and energetic and makes for the perfect companion to his children’s book illustrations.
Check out his work below or see more in his portfolio.
Animation Backgrounds and Props
Kenya and its culture are evolving every day. Ideals that were
okay in the yester-years are getting challenged by factors both in
and outside of the country. I derive inspiration from this.
Illustration
I connect
with a strong desire to change the current status quo. The need to engage,
question and challenge this fuels me to seek new ways of telling stories
that empower others and showcase our diversity to the world.
Animation Background
Illustration
Many people have set up their
own individual shops. These are good places to grow and discover what
you want to do. I feel there should be more collaborations to change the
current way of how people interact with each other creatively and
reconnect with their culture. If we can achieve only a
fragment of this, then other people will take charge and we will be able
to move forward.
Eddie Akatch
Eddie is a passionate graphic designer from Nairobi, Kenya. From stunning automotive and architectural designs to bold text effects, his creativity allows him to dabble in a little of everything.
Check out his work below or see more in his portfolio.
Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
In Kenya, it’s sunny most
days and just when you’ve had enough, the rain comes and cools
everything down.
White Kitchen
We find laughter where most find hurt. We come together when
it matters the most, and especially now in the digital age Kenyans are
bolder and deciding to live their best lives because…what else can we
do?
Maserati
AK Creative Logo
When I first started back in 2007, I was in the banking industry. All I had
was my beat up old desktop computer and moderately okay internet. Slowly but surely places like ADCC (Art Directors and
Copywriters Club of Kenya) and creative forums on social media
popped up and we finally had a place to talk about it all. We need more of us out here to make Kenya not just a
tech hub, but also an art and design paradise.
Many thanks to the artists who took time to answer my
questions and share a bit about themselves and how their country and/or culture
has affected their work. You can check out more of their work in the links
below:
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