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