One on One: Wawi Amasha
US – based Kenyan Painter
How long have you been a painter?
I started painting as hobby in November of 2004 and in a few months I knew I had tapped in something special. I had my first show in May 2005.
Did you have to go to school to learn to paint or were you self taught?
I am self-taught. It came so naturally and I felt within me that this was something beyond me. It was a calling I had to answer, I believe it was a divine intervention, and with that I embraced it with my whole heart. It has been a beautiful journey that I am so grateful for.
How do you manage to still be inspired by African concepts while still in the US?
I have been more interested in Africa since I have been in the USA, more than I did back when I lived in Kenya. Even though I love being in the US, my heart still belongs to Africa. I have kept in close contact with my family and friends as well as regular visits. I find myself more inspired every time I go home. I always find something more fascinating and inspiring from home and that's what's keeps my creativity going. Last year when I went to Kenya, I spent a lot of time visiting various villages and market scenes, capturing images with my camera that would help me more in creating art that represented the lifestyle and the culture of my people. By the time I got back to the US, my brain was about to blow-up from ideas and I have transferred many of them to canvas and much of it still in progress. I also make a point of learning about and researching other countries in Africa. With that, I am able to incorporate what I learn into my art to give people a better understanding of such a vibrant and beautiful people of Africa.
What's your greatest challenge as an 'African' artist living and working in the US? (by saying African here I mean as an artist influenced by African concepts- landscapes and people - and not necessarily African as your race)
To change people’s attitude towards Africa. Africa is misunderstood a great deal, or in fact not understood at all, and I feel that I can use my gift to show the people of the world Africa as I know it, as I have experienced it and continue to do. My approach has been more to educate people about the African People, as a whole, in a different light than that portrayed by the media. And so far I have been blessed to receive such a wonderful growing audience for my art. I believe being out-going as well as having an education in Public Relations has helped me a great deal. I have strong "I can do this" attitude because deep inside I know this is something that I have been called to do by a higher power
What's your greatest achievement as an artist?
Being able to showcase my work in 14 different places, including Europe, in such a short period of time. Getting booked for shows is really tough, and I have been fortunate to have galleries and other venues receive me with such appreciation and support.
Do you or did you have a mentor? If yes, can their influence be seen in your work? What's the greatest thing you learned from them?
In September of 2006, I met a street artist by the name of Bill Tompkins on Venice beach. I approached him because I loved the way he used light and shading in his work and I wanted to know how he did it. He was kind enough to have me accompany him while he painted and he taught me tricks that have helped my work improve a great deal. When I first started, I was doing more of flat, two dimensional painting, but now my work has more details and more depth. He also suggested that I put a giraffe in all my paintings and I thought that would be a wonderful way to keep my grandfather's memory alive. His name is Ndwiga (Giraffe in my mother tongue).
Describe what art means to you
Art to me is Freedom to express myself,
Art to me is to educate and preserve history.
Art to me is a passion and a gift to those who appreciate it.
Art to me is healing and especially to those who get it.
Art to me is bringing people together
Art to me is strengthening communities
If there was something you could do to change the African art scene, what would it be?
I would love to open several art galleries around the world that would deal exclusively in promoting and selling the work of African artists, especially those who have no means of marketing their work. When I go to Kenya and visit the markets and other shops around the country, I often come across such talented artists that are really struggling to sell their work and not getting the recognition they deserve or they are worth. This would also include the artists being involved in the process, where they can travel and be a part of a reception especially when it's a solo show. I also would love to build art workshops in rural areas that specifically encourage kids from a young age to be involved in art, especially those who have the gift and talent. I believe that in Africa art is not very encouraged by parents and communities because they don't think that it's a sensible way to make a living, therefore encouraging other professions more. I feel that as a child if I was exposed to the art scene, I would have embraced it joyfully and not just find it 28 years later while it has been within me all this time. I can only imagine how far I would be now, but then, all things happen in good time.
What's the future for Wawi art?
The sky is the limit. I have more ideas than I can physically handle alone in my lifetime. But for now, I hope to continue painting and showing my work to the world, in as many places as I can find as well as continue to experiment with different mediums. I see a future where my art will become a household name and a better future where it will be in museums around the world. I want my art to promote the African people by displaying their beauty, struggles, success, and the characteristics that make us diverse and yet so similar and most of all so unique. I want my art to be among other talented African artists to preserve our beautiful history for the generations to come.
Please Note: Wawi Amasha will be staging a one day art and fashion show on Saturday, 5 April, at the Tripod Studios in Venice California. For more information, please check out her websites: www.wawiart.com or www.mamiafrika.com
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