Exhibition: The Face of Nairobi by Michael Soi, Mar. 23-Apr. 12 2013 @ Goethe Institut

Opening: March 23, 2013
Venue: Goethe Institut
Time: 7 pm

Dates: March 25-April 12, 2013
Time: 1-6 pm

The exhibition series Sasa Nairobi is the basis of Goethe Institut’s work in the field of contemporary art. Since 2008, GI has exhibited around 30 artists, the last being a solo show by Mimi Cherono Ng’ok. Now they continue this series with the Kenyan painter Michael Soi. Being the son of one of Kenya’s well-known painters, Soi is a member of what can be termed as the second generation of Kenyan artists that emerged in the late 90’s.

His paintings are inspired by the city of Nairobi and revolve around its political, economic and social aspects. With satire and a humorous gaze he thus comments on political impunity, greed and Kenya’s growing sex industry.

The exhibition The Face of Nairobi is an ongoing portrait series, depicting Kenyan women. Soi refers to the show as “a celebration of the mother, the sister, the aunt and the daughter. The work on display is from a series of 42 paintings, all portraying Kenyan women from all over Nairobi who can occasionally be seen walking down the street, in the bar or in the church.”

Exhibition Opening: Saturday, 23rd March 2013, 7 pm
Exhibition: Monday to Friday, 25th March to 12th April 2013, 1 to 6 pm

Exhibition: Accumulating Signs by Mimi Cherono Ng’ok, Sept. 15-Oct. 12 2012 @ Goethe Institut Auditorium

Exhibition Opening: Saturday, 15th July 2012
Venue: Goethe-Institut Auditorium
Time: 7 pm
Entrance: Free!

Exhibition Dates: September 18, 2012-October 12, 2012
Time: 1-6pm
Entry: Free

Goethe Institut exhibition series Sasa Nairobi is the basis of their work in the field of contemporary art. GI aims at working with artists from Kenya that have an advanced and innovative approach and often commission them to produce a new work. Since 2008, GI has exhibited around 30 artists, the last being a solo show by Mbuthia Maina. Goethe Institut now continue with their series with the Kenyan photographer Mimi Cherono Ng’ok.

Mimi Cherono Ng’ok graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts majoring in photography at the University of Cape Town/South Africa. For her photograph ‘self portrait’, Cherono Ng’ok won the 3rd PhotoAfrica contest in Tarifa/Spain. In 2011 courtesy of IFA, Cherono Ng’ok was in residence at SAVVY Contemporary, in Berlin/Germany. Recently, she was selected as a 2013 Sacatar fellow in Bahia/Brazil. This exhibition is her first solo show in Kenya.

“Re: accumulating signs is about the process of beginning. It’s an installation/intervention that attempts to archive influences that have affected my practice as an artist and usually helped me take the first step in the making. Incorporating cinema, text, photographs, interviews, emails, conversations, music, this show functions as a library/face book wall/ tumblr page/pinterest board of all the objects, influences, moments, feelings and thoughts that intersect to begin my production process.”