ARTISTS

Juma is an innovative and inventive artist. He has been painting and drawing for five years and was influenced by New York artist, young African American, Basquiat to make something of his artwork.
Juma comes from the ghettos where he has lived all his life. He is a true ghetto boy, charismatic and charming, and not afraid to speak what he thinks.

His themes are abstract, landscapes, nature and birds. Juma has struggled all through in his developmental stage of life something that illuminates his works and brings out his imagination.

his works and brings out his imagination. His work is enthusiastically received by collectors in Nairobi and overseas. He has exhibited in Nairobi National Museum Gallery in consecutive years and also exhibited in group displays in Germany and America.

On any occasion, you find Juma with paint, pencil, and paintbrush creating amazing or thoughtful pieces of art. He hopes through his art creation he can touch and heal a soul.

John is a passionate and prolific young artist working in varying genres.
Like all the Alfajiri Artists John came from a background in the ghettos where life was unbeleivably hard, where he witnessedlife and death every day. He is a witness that nothing is impossible and as shown that it is possible to be an overcomer.

John is versatile and is also a musician, both performance and production.
He paints from imagination and in plein air.
John has exhibited in galleries in Nairobi, Shifteye Gallery, Hurlingham and Movenpick Hotel Westland, also Art Café, One-Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Rosslyn lone Tree Estate, among other venues.

He is represented in collections both in Kenya and overseas. His work has attained critical acclaim and is owned by the Nairobi art critic.

John’s themes are esoteric and philosophical, portraits, nature, landscapes, animals and birds. He has traveled to several countries including Spain, India and France.

Patrick’s theme is flowers and nature showing gratitude and joy. He is a young and enthusiastic painter and spends days at the easel.  He has found painting has given him hope after coming from a very hard life in the ghettos.

He has developed a unique style and his natural talent is evident. He began quietly as is his sensitive nature. Patrick studied many works and books of painters both modern and classical. He is particularly drawn to the work of Van Gogh and was inspired by the sunflower paintings to really throw himself into his work. This influence is seen in his own wild and wonderful flower creations and Patrick has found his voice. Patrick sees art as a career. He does not create art for himself alone, he creates it to spread joy, he hopes his art can inspire others to see the beauty of the world. He wants the world to know that the people in the streets and ghettos have talent to share.

Nick believes that art is a simple expression of the truth of life. Once Nick first put paint on canvas, he knew he couldn’t do anything apart from art, that he could never give up on art. When working Nick envisions his future

“I see myself three years coming, maybe writing a book, about my life and about my artwork…I paint because I love it and I live in it.” Nick has exhibited in Mombasa Kenya and in Nairobi. He has worked with artists at Kuona trust, an art foundation, and his work is avidly collected in both Africa and overseas, particularly in America.

Nick hopes that people can be inspired to make their own art through experiencing his. “Many people don’t want to do art because they think art is very difficult, but it is the simplest thing, it is easy, everyone can do it”. He hopes that others can be inspired to develop their own skills through seeing his art “My goal with sharing my art, is that people, especially the ghetto boys can see that they can go far.”

Yusuf joy for art was awakened by witnessing the beauty of work created by his fellow artists. He studies art independently researching books and internet, visiting galleries, artists talks and working with professionals. Painting has become a way to focus Yusuf’s life

“Art helps me to heal it is a great focus of my life and I dedicate myself to it.”

He is sharing his skill in schools and Centres, teaching technique and encouraging young artists.

He draws his inspiration from witnessing the stark reality of his surroundings. He also has visions of a beautiful world which he depicts with perfection, painting beautiful scenes, mountains, water, a sort of paradise.

 Yusuf desires to make the lives of people better through advocacy in art. He hopes his art can show the reality of life, to whoever is concerned out in the world. He hopes his art will not only sensitize the world to life in a slum and the beauty of dreams outside it, but also motivate the young people living in slums around the world.

‘There is nothing that cannot be done, told, painted or dreamed.”