Naomi Gakunga

Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga (born 1960), is a Kenyan sculptor and visual artist.[1][2] She was shortlisted for the Financial Times/Oppenheimer Funds Emerging Voices Awards in 2016 and 2017.[3][4][5]

Early years and education

Gakunga was born in Gacharage, Kenya in 1960.[6] She had her tertiary education at the University of Nairobi in Kenya where she acquired a bachelor's degree in Design. She furthered at the University of California in Los Angeles.[5][3][7][8]

Career

Before leaving for the United States to pursue her graduate studies, Gakunga lectured at the University of Nairobi. She uses tin cans, textured sheet metal and steel wire to create wall-hanging sculptures. She has exhibited her works in the US, the UK, France, Brazil, Poland and Kenya. Some of the shows she has exhibited at include; the 2017 solo exhibitions at the October Gallery in London, Bihl Haus Arts in San Antonio, Frieze New York, the Art Paris Art Fair, and the Cape Town Art Fair. Her sculpture Mũgogo – The Crossing was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.[3][1][2][4][6][7][8]

Personal life

Gakunga is married. She lives and works in San Antonio, Texas.[6]

References
  1. "Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga Biography – Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga on artnet". www.artnet.com. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  2. "Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga: Tushauriane – Let's Talk About It | Contemporary And". www.contemporaryand.com (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  3. "1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair". Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  4. Jagoe, Rebecca. "Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga: Reinventing Kikuyu Traditional Art". Culture Trip. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  5. Robert Preece (10 April 2018). "Unity and Variety: A Conversation with Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga". Sculpture. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  6. "From Kenya to San Antonio: Artist Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga | Modern in San Antonio". moderninsanantonio.com. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  7. "Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga". Creatives Database. 2019-04-17. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  8. Preece, Robert (2018-04-10). "Unity and Variety: A Conversation with Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga". Sculpture. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
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