Karen hosts artist who frames the slum mood
An art exhibition dubbed ‘The Stranger in Me’ kicked off at the up market Que Pasa restaurant and club in Karen at the weekend.
The three week exhibition is hosted by Dickson Kaloki who seeks to showcase his views of Nairobi slums to local art lovers.
He volunteers one day each week at Mukuru Kaiyaba in an attempt to turn any form of art into an economic activity- through his work with local artists and artisans.
Lavish party
Running until February 4, the exhibition also showcases a collection of paintings that depict his view of the issues that arise from the Nairobi River.
Melissa Menke, an art lover who was present at the event said: “I can really connect with his work in terms of his ideas about the river systems, the diversity of feelings as an artist is clearly what this exhibit is about.”
The event kick-started with a lavish party at Que Pasa on January 16 including Canapés and conversation with the artist where art lovers and appreciators as well as buyers made their way to the popular restaurant to get a first glance at Dickson’s new collection.
“I’m just a normal guy who walks the streets of town, but people don’t know me, they know my work and my paintings that’s how I am recognised,” explained Dickson as he pointed out one of his signature paintings with a dull green and white theme and strong brush strokes.
His style of painting is very distinct and his love for the colour red is evident in his collection which can be viewed by the public every day at the restaurant in the coming weeks.
Talking about his work Dickson explained: “I do sketches of slums, I try to capture the mood of the slum and I sketch the feeling I get at that exact moment and I just love what I do.”
Close to 100 buyers a day are expected to visit the event. His paintings range on average from Sh60,000 to Sh 275,000 per piece.