Kenya’s name derives from Mt. Kirinyaga, which means ‘mountain of whiteness’ for the Kikuyu people who lived around the area. For many centuries goods from Arabian and Asian traders, who established the first colonies, have entered the territory due to its proximity to the Arabian Peninsula, along with the Nilotic and Bantu people, who mainly settled inland. Evolving from a mixture of Bantu and Arabic, the Swahili language developed as a trade language between the different groups. The Portuguese arrived in 1498, but in the 1600s the Imam of Oman gained back its dominance. Kenya then emerged from the establishment of a British protectorate and the subsequent Kenya Colony. During this period members of the Kikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Kamba tribes gathered together to fight for freedom, giving birth to the Mau Mau Movement. The movement led to constitutional reforms and finally independence, in 1963. Today Kenyans proudly embrace their individual cultures and traditions, while celebrating the importance of national solidarity through the motto of “Harambee” (“Pulling together” in Swahili). Especially rituals and customs from the country’s rich tradition are very well documented, thanks to an intense anthropological study of Kenya’s peoples during the period of British colonial rule.

Eastern Africa
Kenya
Art Makers (57)
Art Spaces (15)
Cities in Kenya
Artists in Kenya
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Nairobi
Jonathan Gathaara Sölanke Fraser
Artist -
Nairobi
Letion Ketienya
Artist -
Cephas Mutua Muthini
Artist -
Mombasa
Kelvin Kariithi
Photographer -
Nairobi
Sarah Waiswa
Photographer -
Naitiemu Nyanjom
Artist -
Nairobi
Vaghela Gemini
Artist -
Nairobi
Pascal Chuma
Artist -
Maseno
Jerry Timbwah
Artist -
Nairobi
Margaret Njeri Ngigi
Photographer -
Nairobi
Joseph Baraka
Artist -
Nairobi
Solomon Powell
Artist -
Nairobi
Jimmy Kitheka
Artist -
Nairobi
Samuel Githui
Artist -
Nairobi
Joseph Mbiyu
Artist -
Nairobi
Brian Kimani
Artist -
Nairobi
Jesse Otumba
Photographer -
Mombasa
Musah Mwakelemu
Artist -
Karimeni
John Ndumia
Artist -
Nairobi
Grace Ndiritu
Artist -
Nairobi
George Kamiti
Artist -
Nairobi
Jackie Karuti
Artist -
Nairobi
Jebet Naava
Photographer -
Nairobi
Jim Chuchu
Artist -
Mombasa
Jimmy Ogonga
Artist | Curator -
Athi River
Kawira Mwirichia
Curator -
Nairobi
Lincoln Mwangi
Artist -
Nairobi
Michael Soi
Artist -
Nairobi
Michael Musyoka
Artist -
Nairobi
Miriam Syowia Kyambi
Artist -
Nairobi
Osborne Macharia
Photographer -
Malindi
Richard Onyango
Artist -
Nairobi
Dennis Muraguri
Artist -
Nairobi
Onyis Martin
Artist -
Nairobi
Patti Endo
Artist -
Nairobi
David Thuku
Artist -
Nairobi
Churchill Ongere
Artist -
Nairobi
Muriuki Jemes
Artist -
Nairobi
Mwangi Hutter
Artist -
Nairobi
Mimi Cherono Ng’ok
Artist -
Nairobi
Peterson Kamwathi
Artist -
Nairobi
Shabu Mwangi
Artist -
Nairobi
Beatrice Wanjiku
Artist -
Nairobi
Wambui Nduhiu
Artist -
Nairobi
Kaloki Nyamai
Artist -
Nairobi
Clinton Artisto
Artist -
Nairobi
Longinos Nagila
Artist -
Nairobi
Paul Onditi
Artist -
Nairobi
Peteros Ndunde
Artist -
Nairobi
Richard Kimathi
Artist -
Ongata Rongai
Robin Mbera
Artist -
Nairobi
Teddy Mitchener
Photographer -
Alex Wainaina
Artist -
Kevin Ndege
Artist -
Diani Beach
Benson Gitari
Artist -
Nairobi
Boniface Maina
Artist -
Nairobi
Cyrus Kabiru
Artist
Art spaces in Kenya
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Nairobi
The Kobo Trust
Collective -
Nairobi
The Nest Collective
Collective -
Nairobi
Brush Tu Collective
Collective -
Mombasa
Space 65
Collective -
Karimeni
Art Orodha Kenya
Art Centre -
Nairobi City
One Off Art Gallery
Art Gallery -
Nairobi
The GoDown Arts Centre
Collective -
Nairobi
Kuona Artists Collective
Collective -
Nairobi
The Little Art Gallery
Art Gallery -
Nairobi
The Shifteye Gallery
Art Centre -
Nairobi
Banana Hill Art Gallery
Art Gallery -
Nairobi
Circle Art Gallery
Art Gallery -
Kwale
Diani Beach Art Gallery
Art Gallery -
Nairobi
National Gallery
Museum -
Nairobi
National Museum of Kenya
Museum