Baraka Shamia
I am Baraka Shamia, a Kenyan visual artist born in 1996. I pursued a BA Fine Art and Design at Kenyatta
University. My works have featured in group exhibitions in Kenya and Germany. I worked part time as a
studio assistant at Brush Tu artists’ studio before moving out of Nairobi to find my space. I work and
live in Kakamega
The works I produced in 2023 were mostly influenced by the city, Nairobi, where I was based at that time .
My biggest influence was drawn from nature being replaced by the culture of congestion. Towards the end of 2023 I moved to Isukha in Kakamega, along the margins of Kakamega forest. I realized that is not a place where nature thrives peacefully.
That is actually where tension is concentrated.
I explore the evolution of the significance of the image of man, the aspect of a boundary between man and nature and to whom the power to decide and cross boundaries lies.
The Scarecrow is a major guiding visual. I study the experience of a Scarecrow for a night, a dance fueled by winds and rain. I am inspired most by the effect it has on nature, how nature derives the image of Man from the Scarecrow. I visualise the imagination of animals which are guided by fear and my imagination which is mostly influenced by visuals, sounds and scents.
My work is also influenced by the relationship between the people of Isukha and the natural environment. The
orderly man has an urge to rearrange, domesticate and commercialise nature. The idea of the
conservancy and agriculture is inspired by mans' greed for wealth and an urge to emphasize
dominion. This leads me to try and visualise mans' idea of paradise; maybe aesthetics inspired by
proper geometric arrangements and perfect uniformity which drives him to encroach on the rugged
environment steadily to realise his fantasies.
I use acrylic on canvas.
Baraka Shamia - Kakamega - February 2024
University. My works have featured in group exhibitions in Kenya and Germany. I worked part time as a
studio assistant at Brush Tu artists’ studio before moving out of Nairobi to find my space. I work and
live in Kakamega
The works I produced in 2023 were mostly influenced by the city, Nairobi, where I was based at that time .
My biggest influence was drawn from nature being replaced by the culture of congestion. Towards the end of 2023 I moved to Isukha in Kakamega, along the margins of Kakamega forest. I realized that is not a place where nature thrives peacefully.
That is actually where tension is concentrated.
I explore the evolution of the significance of the image of man, the aspect of a boundary between man and nature and to whom the power to decide and cross boundaries lies.
The Scarecrow is a major guiding visual. I study the experience of a Scarecrow for a night, a dance fueled by winds and rain. I am inspired most by the effect it has on nature, how nature derives the image of Man from the Scarecrow. I visualise the imagination of animals which are guided by fear and my imagination which is mostly influenced by visuals, sounds and scents.
My work is also influenced by the relationship between the people of Isukha and the natural environment. The
orderly man has an urge to rearrange, domesticate and commercialise nature. The idea of the
conservancy and agriculture is inspired by mans' greed for wealth and an urge to emphasize
dominion. This leads me to try and visualise mans' idea of paradise; maybe aesthetics inspired by
proper geometric arrangements and perfect uniformity which drives him to encroach on the rugged
environment steadily to realise his fantasies.
I use acrylic on canvas.
Baraka Shamia - Kakamega - February 2024
