On Thursday, November 7th, G.A.S. Lagos hosted My Journey in Art, an artist talk and interactive drawing workshop led by then-resident and ART X Diaspora Prize winner Shabu Mwangi. While the word "journey" often evokes thoughts of physical movement, for Shabu, it represents personal growth, transformative experiences, and impactful change. Throughout the evening, Shabu offered a glimpse into his artistic evolution, sharing the inspiration behind his recent work, the phases of his creative process, and his unwavering commitment to using art as a medium for social change.
One of the highlights of the presentation was his discussion of the Wajukuu Art Collective, an organization he co-founded 23 years ago. Based in the Mukuru slum of Nairobi, this artist-led collective has dedicated itself to uplifting and empowering young people through creative expression, skill-building, and community-driven initiatives. Shabu also shared a video chronicling his journey from Nairobi's Lunga Lunga slum, where, surrounded by hardship and loss, he turned to art as a means of processing the difficult realities of crime, poverty, and dangerous living conditions.
Following the talk, Shabu led an interactive drawing workshop that invited participants to reflect on their personal journeys, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and aspirations. The group collectively contemplated what "home" means, reflected on who they are today, and imagined their vision for the future. The resulting drawings were placed on a communal board, creating a shared visual narrative that connected each participant's story. The event not only celebrated Shabu Mwangi’s achievements but also provided a meaningful space for participants to explore and share their own interpretations of personal journeys.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: 7th November, 2024
Time: 4:30 PM- 6:30 PM
Location: 9B Hakeem Dickson Drive, Off T.F. Kuboye Road, Lagos, Nigeria
ABOUT SHABU MUWANGI
Nairobi-based SHABU MWANGI is a multidisciplinary painter and sculptor whose practice focuses on the effects of structural and historical violence and forms of marginalization on individual and collective psyches. Living and working in Mukuru, an informal settlement in Nairobi where he established the Wajukuu Art Project in 2004, Mwangi’s mixed media compositions are powerful expressions of societal and cultural fissures. His most recent work traces an ongoing personal journey of striving to understand the everchanging balance between the driving forces of love and pain. Here, Mwangi has turned his gaze inwards, asking himself questions about how he sees the people around him and reflecting on his interactions with them. In 2022 Mwangi and fellow members of the Wajukuu Art Project participated in Documenta 15 in Kassel, where they went on to win the Arnold Bode prize. Mwangi participated in the 13a Biennial do Mercosul in Brazil, 2022.
The ART X Prize is sponsored by Access Corporation, the parent company of Access Bank.
