Wangechi Mutu: My artist of the year.
By Andrew Wamae.
I first heard of Wangechi Mutu from a close friend of mine, Martin Kimani, back in 2006. We were having a drink in a pub in Holborn just off Kingsway in London. As the evening progressed we got to talking about Literature and the Arts in Kenya, we were kind of going through a tick box process of all the artists, authors, musicians and film makers of Kenyan descent we knew who were making a Global impact. Then compare to today the list was rather thin. I, at the time, was just beginning to dip a toe into the world of the fine arts; Martin by comparison was an accomplished writer hobnobbing with the likes of Binyavanga Wainaina, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie et al. To this day I’m not exactly sure when I began to moan about the lack of good authentic art and paintings from Kenya; and not the usual pseudo-touristic stuff one comes across in galleries and auctions. Martin having heard enough then asked
“Have you ever heard of Wangechi Mutu?”
“Who?”
“Wangechi Mutu… listen guy you need to meet this woman, she’s simply amazing”
That conversation, my friends, was the beginning of my search to find out more about this artist. Google images became my conduit of studying Wangechi and over the years I watched as Wangechi’s genius exploded into the global art scene. In 2013 I finally met Wangechi in Nairobi, it was unplanned. I happened to have a free evening and decided to check out the night-life in Westlands Nairobi. Kengeles, an up-town bar and restaurant, was the venue of choice. There I was in conversation with my NBFF, Vincent, when who should rock up with Wangechi in tow but Binyavanga, “Andrew have you met Wangechi” between you and I, my heart skipped a beat. Wangechi turned out to one of most unassuming people you could ever hope to meet.
This autumn Wangechi had an exhibition at The Victoria Miro Gallery in London, and despite my busy schedule I finally managed to see it on its penultimate day. Here’s the obvious, Google images doesn’t do any art work any favours, but here’s the difference when it come to this particular artist’s work google images completely misses the point. It’s like looking at the sign-post welcoming you to a city and assuming that it, the sign-post, is a great representation of life in that city. Wangechi’s work in real-life is simply phenomenal and no representative image does it credit.The artwork engages with you, draws you in and gets you involved with its narrative. I have over the years had the fortune of looking at good and great art, of talking with good and great artists and visiting good and great galleries, and the times I have been astounded are few and far between. To actually experience artwork that actually enriches one’s life is rare. I walk away from The Victoria Miro Gallery a deeper person than the one who walked into the gallery three hours prior.
Wangechi Mutu
TheESOP Artist of the year 2014
Good Literature or art elevates society, great literature or art elevates the human condition. Wangechi’s work is deep in the second category and truth be said with her depth of understanding, communication and talent she, ladies and gentlemen, is one to watch. If you ever get an opportunity to see her work… take it. Wangechi Mutu is my artist of the year.
