Behind the Nairobi National Park, the landscape opens to a savannah. Here, we find artist Syowia Kyambi, in the comfort of her home which doubles as her work space. It is a place where she can think and create uninterrupted, and here she develops new ways of expression through various media forms.
Syowia is known locally and internationally. She is the artist that evokes deep thoughts. Like most, Syowia is influenced by the world around her. Bits of information lead her to the Internet, public archives and libraries for comprehensive research, and once she feels that she has gathered enough understanding on a topic, her creation begins.
The artistic magic took root when Syowia was a little over eight. The hobby came in form of Ugandan painter Theresa Musoke. Theresa saw to it that Syowia explored art in every way beyond the traditional form. It was perhaps this liberty that invited Syowia into the process of asking ‘why?’ and researching before creating. In her teenage years, art became an important part of life.
In secondary school, access to paint and clay worked to her advantage, and beyond the allocated time for art class, Syowia sought mentors who would help her bloom as an artist. She learnt how to mould sculptures from clay, and paintbrushes were the common ‘tools’ gripped between her index finger and thumb. It was apparent then, but art was where her heart was, and so was the rest of her.
For college, Syowia enrolled at a liberal arts college in New Hampshire. Her time here was brief and soon she was on her way to Chicago, finally feeling more comfortable at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She graduated with a degree in Fine Art. Like two peas in a pod, Syowia and art remained close. Her explorative nature piqued the interest of some of her classmates and lecturers who, through Syowia’s presentations, saw a different perspective on things.
Post College came reality. Syowia wanted to work and live as an independent artist, but she knew it wasn’t something that could happen overnight so she did what any responsible adult would. She got a job as an art teacher. Fortunately, there was demand for art teachers in some of the international schools in Kenya and it wasn’t long before Syowia was settled in an institution, teaching others just as she had been by Theresa. In between her schedules she found time to create art while immersing herself in various artistic communities both locally and internationally.
This ten-year tenure gave Syowia the opportunity and freedom to create controversial work, build networks around the world and make use of the artistic opportunities locally. In 2014, with increased confidence and expanded networks, she finally took the plunge into the deep end of work as an independent artist. Her debut performance “Between Us” was presented at the Go Down Arts Centre in Nairobi that year. It was an experimental multimedia production incorporating live performance, installation, double sided mirrors, water, soap, buckets and sound. She was able to acquire commercial work though her focus on non-commercial work prevailed, and is the case to date.
Her schedule completely shifted when projects began to take months to a year to work on and complete. It was worth it, dedicating time to finish her masterpieces, and this is still the same today. When she isn’t busy conceptualizing and putting together her masterpieces, Syowia is at an art residency growing her knowledge of art or researching on the issues present around the world, and putting together ideas of presenting this information. Because of her bold and positive aura, we applaud her work and continue to support her as her art explores our everyday realities.
