Nairobi in a pressure cooker

I have been travelling a lot this year. I have been to Nairobi (twice), Boston, New York, Caen and Switzerland. I have watched everything worth watching on planes and had my fill of boring airport terminals and security checks. In all of this travel, I have been drawing constantly. In terms of visual inspiration and impressions, no place is like Nairobi. In all of the hectic madness that fills the streets and the vibrant textures and colours one encounters, the overwhelming sensation is life at full volume. For a visual artist, it is an overflowing cup of inspiration and an encounter with profound truths about humanity, the world we live in, and the maddening disparity of wealth in the global south. All of the lazy assumptions made by people in the global north about global southerners is immediately dispelled the moment you hit the streets. It is a failed state but in those unfortunate circumstances felt by the majority of Kenyans in some capacity, incredible generosity of spirit and innovation flourishes. It is a dynamic society in every way with people striving to survive and thrive and mining all available resources, not least of which their creativity and imagination. I am so privileged to work there and see the direct impact of that work on people and communities. Unlike so many efforts by well intentioned individuals and organisations, we aim to provide sustainable change and bring a range of skills to the community. It is also important to address the spiritual toll that poverty takes on people and bring hope and sustenance through improved mental health through art making. Like everything in life, it is about human connection and relationships. We are incredibly lucky to have such strong partnerships that we intend to continue far into the future.

The drawings below reflect a range of experiences witnessed on the streets in the informal settlement of Mukuru and in other areas of Nairobi and Mombasa. Some are reconstructions from memory but all are real, seen and felt. Enjoy.