Artist Residency in Nairobi!

I've been back in Tanzania for some time. The artist residency in Nairobi was too amazing to leave without a blog post.

First of all, what is an artist residency? Wikipedia defines it:

"Artist-in-residence programs and other residency opportunities exist to invite artists, academicians, curators, and all manner of creative people for a time and space away from their usual environment and obligations. They provide a time of reflection, research, presentation, production and immersion into a new culture. They often allow an individual to explore their practice within another community; meeting new people, using new materials, experiencing life in a new location and potentially integrating elements of that experience into their art. Art residencies emphasize the importance of meaningful and multi-layered cultural exchange and immersion into another culture."

I used this definition because I love it. Its such a perfect explanation of where I was for 3 weeks!

Serving in Missions (SIM) set up this residency, inviting local Kenyan artists as well as a handful of international ones (USA, New Zealand and Canada) to come together, do art together, learn together and serve together. The theme of the time was 'children-at-risk' so we visited organizations doing this and ministries and met amazing people with amazing callings, and the beautiful street kids as well. Because that was the theme, we were encouraged to create art based on our experiences with them.

For me this was a blessing with so many facets. Being in the art world in East Africa, but more than that, seeing what role Christian art has in this part of the world, but also seeing it is possible for these East Africans to make a living doing art. Also being busy was nice. I was able to just dig into art as well during this time, doing art all day, and developing styles and being inspired by new art and artists as well as hopefully inspiring them. There's something really special too about being with your people. We never met each other, come from vastly different lives yet we are artists together. There's this deep mutual respect as we watch each other's creative processes and talents coming to life. There's something really so special about that.

The first piece I did ended up being a series, which led to my main and final piece. Here's an image of the process---

In it, the central figure is a street kid. On the bottom left is chaos, pain, brokenness, trauma and darkness. In her head there's the churning of choices, which includes the choice to turn from the darkness in her life to the light, joy, life, hope and promise that Jesus brings. For me it was very powerful personally because though I can't even imagine the trauma of living as a street kid in a slum in Kenya-- this is something I do know. Fighting darkness pain and hopelessness, and turning to the light and hope of the promise of Jesus and relationship with Him.
This series was one of the more powerful experiences I've had doing art. I realize I've been more like an 'illustrator' -- doing specific types of art for clients, and I haven't allowed myself enough time to express myself through my art.

Here are the other peices I did:

"I am With You"- Even in the darkness of pain and fear and all kinds of danger, Jesus is WITH us. Always. He is our home, love and peace.

This is a painting I did around a sermon that deeply affected me on Isaiah 11:1 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse - from his roots a branch will bear fruit.”
“When God really likes something, He hides it. True hope, the anchor for the soul, gets down deep enough in your heart where people can’t get it. Hide faith beneath the feelings. As long as the tree is rooted it has the promise of new life”. This painting is meant to go along with the first one as a series.

I'm so grateful for the time I had in Nairobi. I feel encouraged and inspired to see what can happen here in Mwanza with art and artists! The friends I made during that time I'm sure will be friends for life. To finish the post, please enjoy some of my favorite photos of the time.

The very cool art studio in the Railway Museum of Nairobi

The very cool art studio in the Railway Museum of Nairobi. Making art and surrounded by art

Me and Manu helping the street kids do beautiful art

The beautiful and spunky street kids of Korogocho

This is what it looks like when a bus load of white skinned people drives through the slums

Visiting with a friend inside the slums. One of the 2 story slum buildings. Amazing-- totally built by found materials. 

Beautiful street kids

During our "Walking Exhibition" in one of the slums Korogocho with our street kid frieds

During our "Walking Exhibition" in one of the slums Korogocho with our street kid frieds

I was able to gift one of my paintings to the main ministry we worked with in Nairobi, working with children at risk. I hope it can offer some encouragement!

All 4 of my finished pieces at our final exhibition