Gakonga African Art
Kenyan Artist in education, providing art workshops in schools to inspire and unlock creativity
Jambo (hello) and welcome - Gakonga is an Artist in Education
Gakonga is a Kenyan artist who came from humble beginnings and he is based in the United Kingdom, he says that the magic of life always inspires him to capture life through colours. Gakonga was born in a small village near the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. As a young boy he lived in a farm in a village where there was not much reprieve from the monotony of farming, however it was when his father would leave the farm now-and-then when Gakonga would experiment with plant dye's and sea shells on his fathers mud hut (Thingira).
At the time Gakonga thought it was just a menial youthful hobby inspired by the beauty of Kenya. He would look up and see the sun setting, realising he had become lost in the art and creating, he would run back to the field to finish off his duties in the farm before his dad got home, but still beaming with joy from the work he had created). Little did he knew art would be his calling and his life long passion, his greatest gift is painting and now inspiring others to capture the beauty and the colours of his homeland, Kenya.
Gakonga's work let's the beautiful colours dance across the blank white paper bringing joy to the lifeless page, as he captures the burning gold and reds of a dying sunset and the warm exuberant colours of the tribal dances. Song's and dance are all part of Kenyan culture and every painting has its own joyful rhythm that will bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.
Gakonga relocated to England in the mid 90s, in the year 2000 he was trained to become an artist in education through a scholarship from Essex County Council to enable him to provide art education in schools, since then he has worked with over 300 schools across the United Kingdom, away from school workshops he continues to be creative producing his vibrant pieces of art.
Gakonga has participated in many art exhibition and summer festivals such as Royal Overseas League exhibition in London and Edenborough and Isle of Man, Womand Festival. Glastonbury Music festival, Commonwealth Institute (Holland Park, London), Glascow music Festival, Ealing Jazz Festival (London) and has also done many commissions art licensing including one for penguin books which was featured on the cover of the book titled 'The Penguin Book of Modern African Poetry - by Gerald Moore.
In the year 1997 Gakonga was also recognised for his talent by Her Majesty the Late Queen Elizabeth II and was invited for a tea at the Marlborough House. People say that in life you write your own story but Gakonga has never written his, and instead he continues to tell and share his story though his paintings, undoubtedly a picture tells the story of a thousand words.
click to see Folkston primary celebration of Artist
Gakonga Folkestone Primary Celebration of Artist Gakonga (youtube.com)
For Gakonga Art Galley visit: gakongaartgallery.com
Life is like a dance and every day is precious
Enjoy!
Gakonga
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