Mwass Githinji

Andu Eri Dirishaini (Two People By The Window)

€7.200,00

"At the core of Mwass Githinji’s practice lies a meditation on memory, emotion, and the human condition. His art navigates the delicate terrain between myth and reality, childhood and adulthood, vulnerability and strength. Each pastel stroke becomes a gesture of tenderness — a way of reaching toward the inner child that persists within us all.

Through his process, Mwass seeks to reveal beauty in fragility and depth in softness. His canvases are not mere representations, but spaces of feeling: where philosophy meets story, and where the personal becomes universal. For him, to create is to remember — and to remember is to heal."

MEET

Mwass Githinji

Mwass Githinji is a Kenyan artist based in Kikuyu, on the outskirts of Nairobi. His journey into art began in childhood, long before he knew the language to name it. In his home village of Nakuru, evenings were filled with mythical tales by the fireside — stories that ignited his imagination and led him to draw on the earth with a simple stick. That first act of mark-making, instinctive and pure, continues to echo in the tactile way he prepares his canvases today.

After high school, Mwass pursued formal training at the Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts in Nairobi, where he earned a Diploma in Fine Arts. His years of study became a period of deep experimentation, through which he developed a distinct visual language rooted in pastel on canvas.

His work reflects the layered richness of his rural upbringing, drawing from African myths, world philosophies, and the emotional landscapes of human experience. Mwass’ art has been exhibited internationally — including in New York, California, Australia, and Korea — and he was nominated for the African Norval Awards. In 2023, he held his first solo exhibition at the Nairobi National Museum.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

Afrikanizm Art Expands Globally Through Strategic Gallery Partnerships

Afrikanizm Art, the Luso‑Angolan platform for contemporary African and Afro‑diasporic art, has formalised partnerships with galleries in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia. These alliances will integrate gallery networks with Afrikanizm’s digital platform, amplify artists’ reach, and support collaborative exhibitions. It's a bold step in positioning Black art not on the margins, but at the centre of the global art market.

Bridging Cultures Through Paint: Amadeo Carvalho at King’s College

Cape Verdean artist Amadeo Carvalho has been invited to lead a painting workshop at King’s College London, highlighting the global resonance of Lusophone African visual storytelling.

Visions of Resistance: African Women Artists as Agents of Identity and Change

Across Africa and the diaspora, women artists are redefining contemporary art with purpose and power. Using muralism, performance, digital media, and sculpture, they reclaim visibility, challenge colonial narratives, and shape new spaces for identity and resistance. These five rising artists are not just voices to watch — they are rewriting art history from the inside out.

Abidjan’s New Wave: Young Artists Shaping Ivory Coast’s Creative Future

Abidjan is experiencing a vibrant artistic renaissance, fuelled by new galleries, residencies and state funding. A “new wave” of artists — from Carl-Edouard Keïta’s revival of Goumbé traditions to Mimi Brignon’s urban collages, Adjoba Marie’s surrealist self-portraits, Massa-Chula’s powerful mask reinterpretations, and Angelo N’Guessan’s street murals — is reshaping Ivory Coast’s cultural identity. Together, they place Abidjan at the forefront of Contemporary African Art and the global conversation on Black Art.

Rethinking a Colonial Legacy: Dr El Hadji Malick Ndiaye’s Mission to Decolonise Dakar’s Museum

At the heart of Dakar, a quiet but radical transformation is underway. Dr El Hadji Malick Ndiaye, curator of the Théodore Monod Museum of African Art, is leading a profound effort to decolonise an institution built for colonisers. Through critical reinterpretation, artistic collaboration, and cultural activism, he is reframing the museum not as a place of frozen pasts, but as a living, breathing space of African knowledge, pride, and imagination.

Forbes África Lusófona Highlights Afrikanizm’s Model for Building the African Art Economy

In an op-ed for Forbes África Lusófona, João Boavida, founder of Afrikanizm Art, lays out a bold new vision for African art. He argues that the future lies not in charity, but in structure, visibility, and fair opportunity. Through a model grounded in equity, mentorship, and sustainable growth, Afrikanizm Art is helping transform African artists from overlooked talents into central players in the global market.

Black Spaces of the Great Depression South at MoA+L

Crafting Sanctuaries spotlights rarely seen FSA photos of Black Southern life during the Great Depression—homes, churches, barbershops become sanctuaries.

Getty Foundation Invests $2.6M in Unearthing Black Art History

The Getty Foundation has awarded $2.6 million to expand its Black Visual Arts Archives initiative, empowering 12 U.S. institutions—libraries, museums, and universities—to catalogue, digitise, and bring Black art histories into public view. This multi-year commitment spotlights previously overlooked collections, transforming archives into dynamic cultural touchpoints and promoting long-overdue visibility for Black artists and institutions.

View All