Ask anyone from back in the day how important art was. The answer will be simple; it was considered a hobby, much like reading storybooks or spending time with friends. Interestingly, for Kevin Oduor Wasonga, art was a random find that became his favorite process. It was the anchor that grounded him through seasons of his life.
Kevin’s story begins at Dr. Aggrey Primary School in Eastlands. He is an impressionable child who sees his friend draw and tries his luck at a sketch. The first drawing is precise, good in fact. He celebrates his new hobby by showing off to his parents and they celebrate their son’s talent but it remains a hobby.
In an unlikely turn of events, in his fourth year at primary school, Kevin is involved in an accident. He survives, but with one less hand – his right hand that he used to write, and draw. The misfortune leaves him devasted but his family supports him through the recovery. Eventually, things look up when his left hand begins to work in place of his right. Kevin is enrolled at Nile Road Special School in Makadara. This becomes his new normal, and he embraces it.
For Secondary School, he moves to Nyanza, becomes a student at Ambira Secondary School. Here he gets creative, sketches his teachers, sells the art, makes extra pocket money. He returns to Nairobi before the first term of form three begins. He takes art classes and he grows confident in his ability to draw and paint. When he is done with high school, he invests in his art and sends his first work to Gallery Watatu in the CBD. The paintings are not only accepted but sell quickly. He takes pleasure in his first salo and restocks his art supplies, and of course, shows mum that he is making good with his talent by helping around the house financially.
There is an itch though. He wants to try a new form of art. His inspiration to explore sculpting comes from artist Charles Carol Bwire. His finished products, often Maasai heads, sell at Africa Heritage (presently Lornho House). The only problem with these pieces is that they are so common and eventually Kevin’s itch to explore arises. He tries jewelry, picks a few hacks from there and returns to sculpting. This time, there is a studio offering space for artists – the Nairobi Art Studio. At this place where new and established artists come together, Kevin meets his first client, a restauranteur looking to commission an artist. Kevin lands his first commissioned job and loves the process. Next comes a Catholic church seeking a sculptor to work on a statue of Saint Peter. Kevin’s work is perfect and soon, the government contracts him.
His story carries on, but Kevin remains one of Kenya’s finest sculptors. His work is around us. On Kimathi street, the Dedan Kimathi structure outside of the Hilton Hotel is Kevin’s most public work, but if you’ve been to the Syokimau Railway Station a brass structure of the Giriama Prophetess stands tall.
Kevin’s story inspires. A humble man with much success under his belt, we truly cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.
