#KeArtists – Wanjiru Kibera

For Wanjiru Kibera, art began in the form of drawing and coloring – the integral part of early development. The freedom to explore and express her boundless imagination with wild colors and drawings gave her a positive avenue to express herself.

At St. Christopher’s Preparatory School, her art teacher was the open-minded kind of person, and so there was no restriction when it came to expression in his art classes. This early cultivation boosted Wanjiru’s confidence and her propensity for visual art was soon discovered.

Her high school years, however, nearly killed this vital part of her. At St. Christopher’s Secondary School, she took art as one of her core subjects, though, unlike primary school, her desire to exercise her artistic gift dwindled. The formal training and stiff guidelines, with no space for originality or the breaking of the rules of fine art, caused her to give up on any kind of painting or drawing. It seemed that she would follow a completely different path.

Then campus time came, and here she studied animation. The same lethargy previously experienced, followed suite at the institution Wanjiru was at. She would only create animations because they were necessary for her course; she felt none of the creative excitement she’d known as a primary school girl.

In an almost comical way, Wanjiru sought an escape in art. She and some friends sought a safe haven. The Alliance Francaise student center seemed the most ideal place. Here they would re-imagine all the crafts they during in their younger years. Wanjiru came alive through this pastime – her desire to draw and paint revived and became her coping mechanism when the weight of her animation course took over her. In due time, she was back to creating, without the restraints of teachers or rules.

Thus her first iconic piece was born in 2017. The process? Listening to her emotions, then putting them on canvas. This painting was a self-portrait, depicting her body as a pot made of leaves. It was titled Growing Pains. It illustrated the state of growth Wanjiru was experiencing. She felt both like a growing tree and a piece of pottery in the process of being molded. By truly being herself in her art, she invited people into the emotional story she was telling. She displayed it, cautious of what people would think. The voices of criticism from her high school Art Class plagued her. However, Wanjiru felt liberated by the sensation of having created something that flowed from her soul. The people who saw Growing Pains instantly connected with its story. They applauded her talent for sharing such a personal story in an authentic way.

Her artistic endeavor has been far from easy. In her words, “Success isn’t linear.” Having her painting featured in an international gallery was an encouraging highlight. But going for months without selling any pieces or even feeling the creative spark are among the challenges present in the life of this dedicated artist.

At a recent event,The Hidden Bloom Exhibition, put together by Creatives Garage​, Wanjiru had the opportunity to feature her art. The exhibition focused on new Kenyan artists, showcasing their vibrant creative work. It is spaces like these that allow Wanjiru to encounter with other rising artists. For Art by Wanji.K​ daring and purposeful spirit, we are excited to see what new heights she achieves in her Paukwa positive art journey.