Cyprian Rasto
Flowers, Sun and Rain
Flowers, Sun and Rain
FLOWERS, SUN AND RAIN
‘Flowers, Sun and Rain’ is a body of work that is inspired by Rasto’s interaction with nature. These works personify natures’ vegetation. With his painting skills honed over the years; he has used the Papyrus reed - one of the most prevalent vegetations found in swampy areas as the inspiration to create this body of work.
As a Kenyan; Rasto enjoys the tropical climate (two rainy seasons and two dry seasons). This climatic experience has influenced the ‘Flowers, Sun and Rain’ body of work. He gets to see flowers bloom and dry up under the scorching sun. Seeds are then scattered by the wind to other areas to flourish in the rain and flowers bloom all over again. This beautiful cycle of flowers, sun and the rain begins all over again with every new season.
The artist equates the flowers, sun and the rain cycle he experiences to life cycles. People’s lives go through the blooming phase, the dried up season and then they long for the rain in the hopes of restoration and flourishing again.
“I see this as the beauty of life itself.” Says Rasto.
Group exhibitions:
2017: “Mask Prize Art" competition (won the category “Promising young artists under 25 in Kenya”)
2019: Kuona Trust which has been since renamed to Kuona Collective, Nairobi, Kenya
2022 : “African Identities,” AKKA Project Venice, Venice, Italy
2022: “Shifting Tides” group exhibition Kobo Trust
2022: “Unbound” group exhibition in the Village Market Mall
2022: “Wopart Artfair” lugano Switzerland by AKKA project
2022: Gida journal feature; a Journal dedicated to African creatives
2022: “Crossroads” Shanghai artfair by artcn gallery
2023: The Byredo Magazine feature. A magazine on contemporary African and diasporic creativity.
2023: Liminal spaces retrospective exhibition. A Nairobi based contemporary African art curator
Solo exhibitions:
2020: Liminal Spaces at Unseen Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Biography
Born in 2001, Rasto Cyprian is a graduate from Presbyterian University of East Africa where he studied Education Arts with a major in English and Literature.
Rasto is a self-taught mixed-media artist based in Nairobi, Kenya.
His journey as an artist began in 2013 at twelve years old after he discovered an art program offered by the Uweza Foundation, a prominent NGO in Kibera where he grew up. After two years in the program, he developed enough confidence to begin painting on canvas. As his interest in art grew, Rasto sought out other art spaces in his local community to hone his skills and gain exposure to other artists, such as Onyis Martin, a mixed media artist.
His work is inspired by time and how people can actually travel through it and enjoy past moments. Besides Onyis Martin; Rasto has also been influenced by other artists such Francis Bacon and Chuck Close. Literature and the works of the old Italian masters also shape his work and technique.
Rasto’s creative process involves the reductive method as he scrubs off brush and pencil strokes, then goes back to add stencil and collage on top. He tends to embrace both vibrant and muted colors combined with a patterned background.
Art is a necessity for Rasto; a safe space which generates mental comfort.