Reminiscent
of her days of running and co-founding the RaMoMa Gallery with Mary collis,
Carol lees used to curate sometimes five exhibitions at the same time.
Now back at
One Off gallery which she established in 1994, Carol consistently curates a
minimum of two ‘solo’ shows simultaneously at One Off.
Currently,
she’s hosting two exhibitions at a go, one well-established, and much-loved artist,
Michael soi and newcomer to Nairobi’s thriving art scene, Milena Ele??…., a
Polish architect and artist who only came to this country in 2018, has promising-days
to come.
Michael is
renowned, both for being a brand name, particularly among women living locally both
locally and among those living in global cities where they proudly carry his
trendy fashion statements which are affordable in cost and functional, big
enough to carry computers, books and other essential things.
But he has a
few negative critics who dismiss his art as being either cartoonish or a cliché
and bought only by those who can’t afford his paintings. Yet there’s nothing wrong
or demeaning about being poor. Instead, it reflects the buyers’ sense of taste
and style. And often, we find those cynical critics are just jealous and envious
of Soi’s fame and commercial success.
ironically,,one
of the keys to Soi’s success is selling his art at affordable prices that
everyday people can buy, unlike many (but not all) younger artists who are inclined
to imitate their elder painters who often mark up their prices once they cease an
opportunity.
What’s more,
those critics who don’t appreciate his work also tend not to understand his
style of symbolism, sense of irony, or social commentary. He has commented on
everything from sports and corruption to prostitution and sex in the city to
china in Africa which is considered the most controversial and political of all
his series of works. (He even got visitors from the Chinese representites from
the Chinese embassy who expressed their displeasure with what his art was saying
about their country in relation Africa, especially kenya. It was exposing china’s
imperial, long and short-term plans to eventually neo-colonize the whole region
which the Chinese didn’t like. But soi wasn’t phased by what could have been
considered a threat since china has already given mr ruto got hefty loans and
lots more taxes that Kenyan people will eventually have to pay.
But soi has also
painted on other controvertial topics like prostitution disguised as Masssge
for sale which some feminists didn’t like. Nonetheless, a few got into his
current exhibition which is an eclectic showcase filled with a wide array of
issues and imagery including men with beautiful headgear, some looking like royal
crowns, others looking like helmets fit for warfare.
Soi also
included are several women doing ‘Odd job’ like painting walls instead of doing
the task of being a sex worker.
But whatever
topic he picks to tackle, Soi makes merry with it. There is always an undercurrent
of fun and fun that is happy creating a bit of havoc for those who under his sense of humor for
those who understand.
Then just
next door in the loft at one off, Milena eeee??? Is an arcketict who since
coming to kenya in 2018 has focused more
on painting than designing building homes and hospitals. But her arcitectual
aptititude creps into several of her works. For instance, she has painted several
water colors. They include including her home which is a classic colonial style
which is delicaticaly drawn and then finished with water-colors that capture the
mood, ambiance, and light and water colors on paper. She even has included one
a sharp pencil drawing of
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