Okamar Onesmus

Born and raised in Teso-North, Busia County, Okamar Onesmus is now a multi-award-winning visual artist majoring in Painting and Sculpture.

His dream of becoming an artist was groomed by his uncle Peter Elungat who supplied him with art materials, books and mentorship.

Balancing between school academic work and art he started his professional journey in 2012 when he first visited different art centres and galleries to gather more knowledge. He later on, met with Maina Boniface who introduced him to the art scene and introduced his work to the buyers.

By 2014 he won his first Mask Prize award as the best in the painting category, later on in 2016 he won another Mask Prize award. 

In his work, he portrays issues that deal with self-realization, mental health, love, coexistence and unity amongst other themes that concerns us and those around us in the communities. He has participated in several art workshops, residencies and numerous exhibitions both locally and internationally including at the Saatchi gallery and in Washington DC. 

Onesmus'work is mainly collected by corporate organizations, one of them being I & M Bank and private collectors both locally and internationally in The U.S.A, UK, Spain, Asia, and Australia. 

He works from The Kobo Trust Studio in Nairobi. 

RECORD OF SOME EXHIBITIONS PARTICIPATED.

2022
Group Show, Mtaani 10 Exhibition, McKinsey Company, Nairobi; Group Show, Art Salon, Kobo Trust Nairobi; Group Show, Open Studio and Exhibition, Kobo Trust Nairobi.

2021
Group Show,Open studio and exhibition Kobo Trust Nairobi.

2019
Solo exhibition, New Works, Photizo Art Gallery Nairobi.
Group Show, McKinsey Company “MtaaniExhibition” Nairobi; Group Show, Affordable Art Show Kenya National Museum Nairobi.

2018
Karen Country club show; Duo Exhibition, The Pages of Life, Kobo Trust Nairobi; Group Show, Charity art sale exhibition, Kobo Trust Nairobi; Group Show, Kenya Art Diary launch exhibition, Alliance Française Nairobi; Group show, New Work, Bonzo Art Gallery Nairobi.

2017
Group Show, Pop Up Exhibition, Dusit D2 Hotel Nairobi.
Group Show, The Kenya Artfair Sarit Centre Nairobi.

2016
Group Show, The Mask Prize Exhibition, Safaricom Centre Nairobi.
Group Show, Kenya Art Buyers Weekend, Lavington Mall Nairobi.
Group Show, Affordable show-Kenya National Museum Nairobi.
The Manjano Art Competition Show Village Market.

2015
Group Show, The Untold exhibition, Safaricom Centre Nairobi.

2014
Group Show, The Mask Prize Exhibition, UON Nairobi.
Group Show, Kenya Creative Week, UON Nairobi.
Group Show, The Mask Prize Show, Saatchi Gallery,London.

GRANTS AND AWARDS
2016 :Winners Category award: The Mask Prize Award.
2014 :Painting Category 1st Prize. The Mask Prize Award.
:General 3rd prize Award. The Mask Prize Award.

PUBLIC COOPERATES COLLECTIONS.
2021: I & M Bank - Two Paintings.
2022: I & M Bank - Two Paintings.