Patrick Karanja - Blurred Lines 
An Installation

Blurred lines
Patrick Karanja - Nairobi 2023


'To “record nature” is the artists’ universal language.
As artists, sometimes we use elements of nature without awareness of the extent of their involvement. My use of materials to transform nature into two-or-three dimensional objects is the outcome of the desire and or need to record my environment'. 


 

Introduction:
There will always be those who throw up their hands in horror and claim that the study of body language is just another means by which scientific knowledge can be used to exploit or dominate others by reading their secrets or thoughts. This body of work seeks to give the viewer a greater insight into communication with his fellow humans, so that he may have a deeper understanding of other people and therefore, of himself. Understanding how something works makes living with it easier, whereas lack of understanding and ignorance promote fear and superstition and make us more critical of others. A birdwatcher does not study birds so that he can shoot them down and keep them as trophies. In the same way, the acquisition of knowledge and skills,  in non-verbal communication serves to make every encounter with another person an exciting experience.   
I am curiously interested in the non-verbal cues and signals of human beings. I watch them at social functions, at beaches, on television, at the office or anywhere that people interact. I am a student of behaviour who wants to learn about the actions of his fellow humans so that I may ultimately learn more about myself. In my work I am keen on existence, social- politics, stratification, boundaries (social and political), etiquette, consumerism and industrialization.
While making observations I constantly question certain things like, why do humans interact with each other? What’s the need for humans to migrate or move? How do they move? What kind of energy do they consume when they move? How is the energy produced? What are the constant changes to the ecosystem as humans interact, move, and go about their business?
This body of work is by no means the last word on body language - Its purpose is to make the viewer more aware of his own nonverbal cues and signals, to demonstrate how people communicate with each other using this medium and the overall impacts of human interaction.
                                                                 

Biography

Patrick Ndung’u Karanja is a dynamic artist exploring different media in fine art. He trained in industrial design and fine art.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
His work is an attempt to depict the different issues that impact on his practice and or society, and at times the world as a whole. These issues could be social, political, economic,  or all at the same time, depending on the specific concerns at the given time; therefore he has never been keen on looking for his own signature style, but rather techniques and media that serve those desired functions.
Born in Nairobi in 1990, he graduated with a degree in industrial design and fine art from St. Lawrence University, Kampala, Uganda, in 2013. He is a voracious reader of whatever educational literature he lays his hands on. He has exhibited in numerous exhibitions and is slowly creating a niche for himself in the art scene.
 
CV 
​
 2009-2013
Pursued a degree in industrial art and design of St. Lawrence University, Uganda.

2005-2008
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.

1997-2004
Kenya certificate of Primary School Education.

Exhibitions and Awards

April 2022 - ​Group exhibition, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery
August 2021 - Group exhibition, Circle Art Gallery
September- October 2019 - Group exhibition, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery
April 2019 - Group exhibition, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery
May-June 2018 - Exhibition at the Talisman Restaurant, Nairobi.
December 2017 - Group exhibition at the Polka Dot Gallery
August 2017 - Exhibition at Kuona Trust Art Gallery         
November 2016 - Kenya Art Fair- Wasanii exhibition                                                 
November 2015 - Kenya Art Fair- Wasanii exhibition
October 2013 - Group exhibition, Russian Consulate Nairobi
October 2011 - Group exhibition, Nairobi National Museum
 
                                                               



 

 
 
 

---