James Mbuthia
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James Mbuthia was born in 1958 in Banana Hill, Kiambu District, Kenya, where an extraordinary concentration of artists reside. His formal education saw him through High School. His knowledge of art is entirely self-taught.
He is intensely creative in a wide variety of mediums, but especially prolific in oil on canvas. His inspiration is drawn from personal experiences. James’ work depicts his dreams, political commentaries and rural life in his home area. His creativity is also evident in the small sculptures, woodcut prints and installation pieces he makes from recycled materials. He is the founder and workshop coordinator for Art Without Borders Kenya. His initiative enables a team of artists to bring art to the children ensconced in the paediatric wards of Kenyatta National Hospital, slums and children's homes. He has traveled to both France and the USA to take part in workshops. His work has been extensively exhibited in his home country of Kenya. |
Selection of works
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Exhibitions2018 - "Conversation in Silence", One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2016 - "Imaginations in colour", One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya 2015 - "Every Painting is a Poem", One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya 2013 – "How I see Politics", One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya 2010 – “Collectable Art for Collectors”, RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2009 – “Art of Vision” (May-July), Seed Gallery, Newark, NJ., USA 2009 – Museum of African Art, Seoul, Korea, 2009 – “Family Concepts,” RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2009 – “Il Mondo Magico Degli Ombrelli”, RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2008 – “Kenya and London Print Exhibition", RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2008 – “The Way I See It”, Village Market Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya 2007 – “Love Series”, RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2006 – Juried Contemporary Kenyan Art Exhibition, Alliance Francaise, Nairobi, Kenya, 2005 – Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers Annual Exhibition, London, UK, 2005 – “True Colours”, RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2005 – “East African Biennale”, Tanzania 2005 – “Creative Dreams” (solo exhibition), RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2005 – “World Environment Day Exhibition,” UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya 2004 – Nairobi, Kenya, Print Exhibition, RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2004 – “Kenya Art Exhibition”, New York City, USA 2003 – Banana Hill Studios and Ngecha Artists Association Exhibition, Banana Hill, Kenya 2003 – “Three of a Kind”, RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2002 – “Best of Kuona”, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya, 2002 – “Inner Coat”, National Museums of Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya 2001 – “Naïve Art”. Marseille, France 2001 – “Naïve Art”, Laval, France 2001 – “Street Art”, RaMoMA Museum of Modern Art, Nairobi, Kenya 2000 – “Survival of the Artist”, French Cultural and Cooperation Centre, Nairobi, Kenya 1999 – “Nairobi Insecurity”, UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya 1997 – Germany 1997 – Paraguay 1996 – “Banana Hill Reflections”, Goethe Institute, Nairobi, Kenya, 1996 – “Studio Dormart”, Cologne, Germany 1995 – United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya |
Collectors include
Publications:
PressBusiness Daily - 13-05-18 - Mbuthia’s blissful art at One Off Gallery
EastAfrican - 26-04-2013 - Politics seen through the eyes of unequal animals Business Daily - 25-04-2013 - Painting Politics in Parables The Star - 16-04-2013 - A Toast to the 'Watch Dog' EastAfrican - 29-06-2009 - Love is all you need |
James Mbuthia is exclusively represented in East Africa by One Off