Kaloki Nyamai (b. 1985, Kitui, Kenya) merges traditional and contemporary perspectives, creating a distinctive form of visual storytelling. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives, examining their resonance in the present. Rooted in Kenya’s rich heritage—particularly that of the Kamba people—Nyamai draws inspiration from his mother, grandmother, and the dynamic rhythms of contemporary life in Nairobi. His works reflect a deep engagement with history, weaving together pre-colonial imagery and references to modern photographs and media, signaling the ongoing conversation and coexistence between past and present.
In his latest series, Ithokoo masuiluni, Nyamai delves into the potential for new realities. He uncovers and proposes narratives of an awaited morning that promises new beginnings. The three free-hanging pieces involve acrylic paint, sisal rope, photo transfers, and yarn stitched onto the canvas, alluding to the healing of past wounds and fractures in Kenyan history and a collective yearning for renewal. This body of work is both visually striking and thematically profound, addressing the complex relationship between historical trauma, current social unrest, and the hope for regeneration. In these large-scale installations, Nyamai creates a platform where past, present, and future converge poetically.
Nyamai’s work makes use of youth-led uprisings and resistance as a central theme for his works, using scenes from protest actions around the world, including Kenya, Bangladesh and Nigeria as a key visual motif.
By intertwining personal memory, historical events, and contemporary struggles, Nyamai envisions a future where healing and transformation are possible—where new beginnings can emerge and new realities can take shape. These powerful, immersive works not only tell the story of Kenya’s past but also offer a hopeful vision for a new dawn, both for the artist’s homeland and the broader regional community in the aftermath of seemingly never-ending chaos.
Kaloki Nyamai: Ithokoo masuiluni is curated by Brett Scott, Norval Foundation Collections Manager. The exhibition is available to view from 20 November 2024 and runs until 23 November 2025.
