It only takes a stroll through nature to appreciate the wide array of colors and majesty found out there. In the forests, deep in the Rify Valley, near where she was raised, Chelenge Van Rampelberg saw past the beautiful flowers and scenery into the grain of the trees. The art was hiding in plain sight and Kenya’s first female sculptor would bring it out for the world to see.
Life in rural Rift Valley set the scene for a budding master of art. Collecting firewood and working around her family’s homestead put her in close proximity with what would become the tools of her trade. Machetes, axes, were at home in Chelenge’s grasp. Chopping gourds in half for use around the home put her at ease with messy work to achieve a beautiful result. As a girl, her hands would work at weaving beautiful pieces from grass for the night’s piping hot ugali to be served on. Here, love for family, nature, and community intertwined with her spirit.
It’s interesting, after high school, Chelenge married artist Marc Van Rampelberg. We can only assume that their love was founded on the fact that they both shared a love for art. They went on to have three children together, and Chelenge took on a role as a full-time mom. This was her way of life until it was time for her youngest son to start school. With the grudging, protective love of a mother, she let him go. Without him, her home was silent; the loud voices that echoed through its halls were sounding elsewhere. No little one demanded her attention anymore. With her new-found freedom, she decided to explore art. Buying brushes, paint and fabric, she would spend her hours putting the scenes she imagined on this canvas.
However, unlike the woven plates she would gladly showcase to her mother, she hid her initial paintings. At this point, her art was for her and her alone. As Chelenge slid them under the bed she shared with her husband, she’d sigh her relief at the joy of creating and the solace of bringing her vision to life. Eventually, as it goes with beautiful things, her paintings were discovered. Seeing her unique style and view of art, Marc urged her to have her work exhibited at Gallery Watatu. Chelenge was an artist discovered. Who would have known that she would become the first Kenyan female sculptor? Certainly not her. But her technique spoke for itself.
Wanting to perfect her craft, Chelenge enrolled at Alliance Francaise for a short course on etching and wood-cut printing. Here, she discovered her favorite subjects to sculpt were gorillas, elephants and mothers – all powerful forces of nature.
Her respect for nature shows through the sustainable use of indigenous trees as well as raising awareness concerning poaching. “The process of chopping up wood to bring out the statue hidden therein is a process of life,” she says. She hopes that the next Kenyan generation can see the art in nature and preserve it as our heritage. And, in the work of this trailblazing sculptor, we find great motivation to keep protecting this beautiful country we call home.
