Anthony Okello

Born in 1976 in Nairobi, Anthony Okello obtained a diploma in art and design at the Buruburu Institute of Fine Art. He went on to work full time as a painter at Kuona Trust Museum art studio.

Best known for a couple of series; one exploring tribal mythologies from the Luo, Kikuyu and Taite people. In one instance the myth portrayed is God's message to humanity about immortality. The Tortoise (which does not appear in the composition) was entrusted to tell humans that if they died, they would be resurrected and would live forever. He was to give the Moon the opposite message and sadly these were switched in the delivery. The work currently hangs at Nairobi National Museum.

The other two works in the series exist in the collections of Robert Loder CBE and Robert Devereux.

The second series is his Masqurade series which explores identity and the artiface humanity uses to disguise true intent. A work in this series achieved the highest price for a Kenyan painting at Bonhams Auction House in London.

Okello's works were shown at Pop up Africa 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 in 2017.

Okello lives and works in Nairobi.

Selection of works

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

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

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

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

Anthony Okello – Seven, 2021 – Oil on canvas – 83.5h x 72w cm - Kshs 180,000

Anthony Okello – You See!, 2021 – Oil on canvas – 72h x 45w cm - Kshs 140,000

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

Anthony Okello – In Her Glorious, 2021 – Oil on canvas – 82h x 69w cm - Kshs 180,000

Anthony Okello – Above, Under, 2021 – Oil on canvas – 80h x 70w cm - Kshs 190,000

Anthony Okello - Untitled (Clown), 2019 - Oil on canvas - 61h x 65w cm

Anthony Okello - Wine Professor I - Oil on canvas - 32h x 31w cm

Anthony Okello - Difficult Division, 2019 - Oil on canvas - 135.50h x 160.50w cm

Anthony Okello - Untitled, 2019 - Oil on canvas - 63h x 67w cm

Anthony Okello - Secure I, 2019 - Oil on canvas - 50h x 41w cm

Anthony Okello - Secure III, 2019 - Oil on canvas - 50h x 41w cm

Anthony Okello - Which One, 2018 - Oil on canvas - 70h x 56w cm

Anthony Okello - Prophetess, Rev, Dr., Bishop, Mrs..., 2018 - Oil on canvas - 104h x 68.50w cm

Anthony Okello - Secure II, 2019 - Oil on canvas - 50h x 41w cm

Anthony Okello - Mug Shot VII, 2016 - Oil on canvas - 132h x 132w cm

Anthony Okello - Mug Shot V, 2016 - Oil on canvas - 132h x 132w cm

Anthony Okello - Son of Man in Torment - Oil on canvas - 160h x 178w cm

Anthony Okello - Caught in the Act - Oil on canvas - 149h x 190w cm

Exhibitions

2021 - 'Recent Oil Paintings' - One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2019 - "Fishy Business", One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2017 - "Black Tie Affair", One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2015 - "A. Okello", One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2014 - “Pop up Africa”, Gallery of African Art, Cork Street, London, UK
2013 - "Masquerade", Solo Exhibition, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2013 - “Africa Now”, Modern & Contemporary African Art and a charity auction of Kenyan Contemporary Art - Bonhams, 101 Bond Street, London. UK. (Part of his 'Masquerade series' fetched the highest bid)

Okello has also exhibited in France and India, Uganda, Holland.

His works have been published in ‘World Art Collection – 1001 reasons to love the art’.

Press

EastAfrican - 21-04-2019 - Paintings with the power to disturb
Business Daily - 11-05-2017 - Okello’s paintings carrying Animal Farm-like messages
Business Daily - 4-04-2015 - Brothers team up to create art using clothes and paint
EastAfrican - 01-08-2014 - Portraits of a troubled nation
The Nation - 3-02-2014 - Heart of London, here we come
EastAfrican - 7-06-2013 - Welcoming a risen soul at another resurrection
Business Daily - 6-06-2013 - Okello in an artistic class of his own

Collectors

Robert Devereux, African Art Trust

The Telegraph UK - 02-12-2014 - Arts Market section

Anthony Okello is exclusively represented in East Africa by One Off

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