A cluster of artists operating from Mukuru slums in Nairobi have won Ksh1.3 million Arnold Bode Award 2022 in Germany.
The artists who operate under the banner, Wajukuu Art Project, were unveiled as winners at Documenta 15 - the fifteenth edition of a contemporary art exhibition held in Kassel, Germany.
The award, which comes with a prize of €10,000 (roughly 1.3 million), was handed to the artists by the City of Kassel for the project's artworks that positively impacts the society.
The head of Kassel’s tradition division, Susanne Völker, praised the group for its ingenuous works and constructive impact.
“I’m delighted that this year we’re capable of award the distinguished prize to Wajukuu Art Project.
"In doing so, the Board of Trustees is following the tenet of Documenta fifteen, which is to focus on collectives with inventive work that has a constructive impact on the frequent good as a selected type of group and manufacturing," stated Völker.
During the exhibition in Germany, the team introduced a set up titled 'Killing Fear of the Unknown' that had multimedia works from the artists in the group.
"The collective’s contribution to the exhibition, is an architectural installation at documenta Halle, inspired by the Maasai Manyatta (traditional housing for the Maasai People of East Africa) and the informal aesthetics in the slums.
"Visitors enter a tunnel to experience multimedia expressions by Wajukuu-affiliated artists. Apart from a documentary, Wajukuu presents delicately refined objects, including a sculpture of a pedaled knife sharpener," read a description of the artwork.
Arnold Bode Award was created in the memory of Arnold Bode, the founder of Documenta and is often awarded for exceptional achievements in the field of contemporary art.
Founding
Wajukuu Art project was founded in 2004 in Mukuru slum with the aim of providing alternative source of income for the locals through making and selling art.
Specifically, the project was aimed at giving children a purpose.
It was founded by Lazarus Tumbuti, Lawrence Mwangi (Shabu), Ngugi Waweru, Pablo Mukta and Joseph Waweru Wangui (Weche).
