For decades, perhaps centuries, the Abagusii have been praised for the artistic production of soapstone products. However, the original soapstone carvers are the Karamajong who live mainly in north-east Uganda. That said, the Abagusii stone artists continue to represent Kenya’s creative diversity. Sculpting using soapstone is an interesting process that can take four months to several years to complete, depending on how large the piece is intended to be. One Kenyan artist who is celebrated around the world for his enormous, beautiful soapstone pieces is Elkana Ong’esa.

Elkana comes from Tabaka, a community in Kisii that is said to have been involved with soapstone for over 300 years. He was the kind of child who did what he saw his grandfather, his father and his uncles doing – working with their hands to create beautiful pieces. While the older men created functional items such as bowls and smoke pipes, eight year old Elkana turned to clay, molding animals like birds, fish and bulls which he then used as his toys. Under the guidance of his grandfather, he slowly transitioned from clay to soapstone which required the use of knives, pangas and other carpentry equipment. And just like that, he too began to follow in the footsteps of those that came before him.

What intrigued Elkana about soapstone was the variety of colours; they enhanced the beauty of the final piece or product carved and in addition, he learned that leaves could be used to sand the products, making them ready for selling.

When he joined Nguru Intermediate School, carpentry was part of the curriculum and Elkana learned the process of carving wood. He was soon making mwikos and cooking sticks. Despite being drawn to the technical arts, Elkana worked hard in all other subjects and passed. This earned him an admission into the Government African School in Kisii (today known as Kisii High School). His love for art didn’t dim here even though the school didn’t offer fine art as a subject. After inquiring with the headmaster, he was offered private tutorship and did stone carving as part of his coursework in Form IV. He registered for his exams as a private candidate and once again excelled. This performance enabled him to bypass A-levels and instead join Makerere University in 1967 to study fine art.

At the university, Elkana majored in painting and his minor was in sculpting. Even then, creating with his hands was something his intended to pursue as a career. He was educated on welding, modelling with various items, as well as creating sculptures using ceramics. In 1971 he graduated, returned to Kenya and joined his alma mater – Kisii High School – to work as a teacher.

In his second year of teaching, he returned to school to acquire a Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Nairobi. Unfortunately, the recurring student protests disrupted a number of his classes and he wasn’t able to complete his course as hoped. He left teaching at his former high school and briefly taught at YMCA Shauri Moyo Centre. Thereafter, in 1975, he was back in Kisii teaching at Kisii Teachers’ College. He was initiated into the Kegorogoro Cultural Festival that brought together artists in different disciplines from the Nyanza region. Elkana was inspired to create a symposium for artists – not just from the region but something that would bring artists even from other countries.

While he taught at the college, he was offered an opportunity to study in Canada. In 1985 he was on his way to school once again only this time he was to receive a Master’s in Education. In 1987 he graduated and returned to Kisii Teachers’ College. Two years later he retired.

By then there were several emerging artists in Kisii. Elkana was reminded of his idea a few years before and he worked towards creating an artistic community. He earned his living from commissions to create sculptures for different organizations and individuals. His work enabled him to travel to over 20 countries.

In 2011, with support from UNESCO, Elkana held the first African Stones Talk Symposium, an international sculpture symposium in his hometown in Kisii. Since then, Elkana has created a number of sculptures. Those locally and open to the public can be found at the Uhuru Gardens Memorial Park and the Nairobi Gallery in Nairobi, and at the ELKOM Art Center in Kisii town. One of the things Elkana is most proud of today is the time he has taken to mentor various apprentices. Truly he has contributed to the next generation of soapstone carvers.

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