Anthony Okello Between Losing and Finding Exhibition

One Off is pleased to present

Anthony Okello
Between Losing and Finding

Exhibition open Saturday 25 June 2022
noon to 4pm

Exhibitions Run:
Saturday, 25 June through 24 July 2022

Gallery open:
Tuesday through Sunday
from 10am - 4.30pm.

'Ebb and Flow', Peterson Kamwathi Exhibition Invitation

Anthony Okello

One of the most important artists of his generation, he obtained a diploma in art and design from the Buruburu Institute of Fine Art and went on to work full time as a painter at Kuona Trust Museum Art Studio.

Best known for two series: one exploring tribal mythologies from the Luo, Kikuyu and Taita peoples; the other, his Masquerade Series, examining identity and the artifice employed in disguising true intent - one of which attracted the then highest price ever paid for a Kenyan painting at Bonhams Auction House in London.

'Between Losing and Finding' explores exactly that. Okello has produced the body of work, utilising sketches from throughout his career, whilst experiencing a number of personal challenges, both happy and sad. He has found himself questioning religious belief in the face of personal bereavement, both his own and the diverse doctrines of those surrounding him. He uses clothing and objects to portray different religions. Okello says the main body of work was produced during some highly emotional events in his life. 'The heaviness' is a perfect example of this with the main protagonist being 'a broken person' made up of numerous borrowed body parts, all clothed in stripes which for this artist represent bondage, lack of freedom; a prison sentence. Realising the extreme sadness of the work, Okello has tried to mitigate his sense of being overwhelmed by using a generally upbeat palette.

Okello's works were shown at Pop Up Africa (GAFRA) in Cork Street, London in 2014/15. He has also exhibited in the Netherlands, France, India and at the Heong Gallery at Downing College, Cambridge, UK in 2017.

The artist's works are held in the collections of international accounting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers, I&M Bank and the East African Visual Arts Trust.

More on Anthony Okello

Preview of Works

Click thumbnail to enlarge and scroll through all images

Anthony Okello – Is At Least – Oil on canvas – 149h x 100w cm - Kshs 580,000

Anthony Okello – Blue Gloves – Oil on canvas – 153.5h x 87.5w cm - Kshs 450,000

Anthony Okello – Mother or Daughter – Oil on canvas – 149h x 100w cm - Kshs 580,000

Anthony Okello – Their Glorious Selves I – Oil on canvas – 102h x 115w cm - Kshs 380,000

Anthony Okello – Their Glorious Selves II – Oil on canvas – 102h x 115w cm - Kshs 380,000

Anthony Okello – Prayer Pearls – Oil on canvas – 102h x 115w cm - Kshs 380,000

Anthony Okello – The Heaviness – Oil on canvas – 102h x 115w cm - Kshs 380,000

Anthony Okello – Entertainers on Tour – Oil on canvas – 148.5h x 153w cm - Kshs 750,000

Anthony Okello – Which Side? I – Oil on canvas – 53h x 50w cm - Kshs 120,000

Anthony Okello – Which Side? II – Oil on canvas – 53h x 50w cm - Kshs 120,000

Anthony Okello – Which Side? III – Oil on canvas – 53h x 50w cm - Kshs 120,000

Anthony Okello – Which Side? IV – Oil on canvas – 53h x 50w cm - Kshs 120,000

Anthony Okello – Which Side? V – Oil on canvas – 53h x 50w cm - Kshs 120,000

Exhibition openings are usually on the last Saturday of every month, excluding December. The gallery remains open on Sundays allowing anyone who missed the opening to catch the exhibition the next day. Do join our mailing list so we can send you an invitation.