Photo: Jared Onyango during a media interview held at Rosslyn Rievera.
The UJUZI Program’s debut exhibition, “Walking on a Dream,” is captivating audiences by presenting the evolving artistic visions of three talented East African artists—Elias Mung’ora, Jared Onyango, and Sandra Wauye. The exhibition highlights the ongoing creative journeys of these artists, who are exploring a wide range of media and themes. UJUZI, an innovative learning initiative for artists, has been running since November 2023 and is designed to foster growth through creative research methodologies and contextual thinking.
One of the featured artists, Jared Onyango, draws his inspiration from his experiences growing up in Korogocho, a community near the Dandora dumpsite. Watching plastic waste pollute the Nairobi River, Jared’s journey as an artist began with a desire to address the environmental impact of plastics and their role in local livelihoods. His current project, “Jua Kall,” is a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between people and their environment. Using video, photography, and installations, Jared encourages viewers to rethink their consumption habits and understand how discarded materials shape the lives of people living around the dumpsite.
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“Growing up, I saw many people earn a living by collecting and selling plastic and nylon from the dumpsite. It made me realize the harsh reality of recycling and its impact on our community,” Jared shared. His video installation, which focuses on river pollution and community resilience, features footage of locals washing discarded ‘Uhuru bags’ collected from the river, intertwined with the natural sounds of the water’s flow. The contrast between the moving images and the shadows cast by plastic threads reflects the struggles and adaptability of communities navigating this challenging environment.
Sandra Wauye, another artist in the program, brings a different yet equally compelling perspective through her delicate ceramics and vibrant paintings. She began her artistic career in 2021 and ventured into ceramics in May 2024. Sandra’s work examines the deep connections between humans and nature, exploring themes of regeneration, resilience, and the concept of home. “When I create, I think about home as a feeling of comfort and belonging in a world that often feels transient and ever-changing,” Sandra explained. Her ceramic pieces, made from locally sourced clay and treated with traditional African pottery techniques, celebrate the beauty of coexistence and nurture in nature.
Sandra’s paintings, on the other hand, depict a world where human and animal characters exist in harmony, suggesting a sense of kinship and shared existence. Her mentor in the UJUZI program, Usha Seejarim, has guided her to experiment with forms and textures, resulting in artworks that reflect both strength and fragility. “My ceramics are inspired by plant and fungal forms, representing the nurturing containers of life and paying tribute to the interconnections between various living beings,” she noted. The intricate layers and textures in her ceramics embody resilience and the continuity of life.
The UJUZI program, developed through a partnership between Untethered Magic and the Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI), provides a unique platform for artists to engage in mentorship-driven research. This initiative emphasizes conceptual growth, encouraging artists to explore the deeper contexts behind their work. With guidance from experienced mentors, artists like Jared and Sandra have been able to refine their craft and present projects that resonate on both personal and societal levels.
For Elias Mung’ora, another featured artist and a seasoned painter, the UJUZI program has been a transformative experience. “This exhibition is not just about showcasing finished work; it’s about the journey of discovery, reflecting on our growth, and challenging what East African art can become,” he stated. Elias believes the focus on mentorship and collaboration has been crucial in pushing the boundaries of artistic practice in the region. The exhibition, which runs through October, features multimedia installations, paintings, and ceramics that invite viewers to think deeply about themes of home, environment, and social change.
As “Walking on a Dream” continues to captivate audiences, it offers a rare glimpse into the minds of East Africa’s emerging artists, who are using their work to inspire change and build stronger, more connected communities. Through this exhibition, the UJUZI program highlights the power of art as a tool for social transformation, bridging the gap between personal narratives and broader societal issues in a way that leaves a lasting impression on its audience.
