Opening 30 August 2025
Energy Never Lies
Prina Shah
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The Seed Within, 2025
Acrylic on aged raw cotton canvas 96 x 96 cm USD 6 500 |
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Artist's Statement
“Energy Never Lies” was inspired by a series of questions that emerged from my earlier body
of work, the Divine Feminine. Questions that further investigate the true nature of the self
through the lens of energy.
Ever had that strong feeling when you walked into a room or listened to a conversation and
knew that it didn’t feel right?
That’s your energy field at work.
One can mask themselves through their physical expression, but the frequency and energy
tell us a different story.
This very energy field is the foundation of our existence, influencing every aspect of our life -
the invisible thread weaving through our thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being.
These works explore the energies and frequencies felt and experienced at different times
using meditation and awareness techniques deeply rooted in the energy chakra system.
To truly represent the essence of the energy, I chose to utilize acrylics in a way that creates
a delicate transparent overlay that extends, weaves, vibrates, and interacts beyond the
physical body, each energy responding to a different aspect of our being.
The process of creating these works demonstrates that energy provides us with reflections
of our reality; it is the frequency and language of the universe. A silent yet powerful
language.
Through these investigations, I invite the audience to explore their own frequency, energy,
vibration ,and the information received. To question, if you could harness this energy, what
would your desired reality look like?
Prina Shah - Nairobi - August 2025
Prina Shah
Prina Shah (b. 1973, Kenya) is a contemporary artist currently living in Nairobi, Kenya. Born
in Kenya to Indian parents, Shah also grew up partially in the U.K. Her quest of self-discovery
and spiritual investigation began when Shah had to flee the nation to seek refuge after the
attempted coup in 1982. For Shah, art serves as a space for freedom, healing, and
transformation. Her artistic work embraces the indeterminacy of her national identity,
including a fascination with the formation of selfhood.
Her creative career spans over two decades, during which she has researched and
developed a variety of unconventional yet varied techniques using mixed media, hair,
sculpture, painting, and glasswork and installations - Shah’s artistic journey serves as a space
for self- discovery probing the dualities of existence, seamlessly weaving physical and
spiritual realms into her narrative.
Using meditation as the impetus and foundation of her work, her art evokes a potent blend
of personal history and broader cultural context - encouraging a dialogue between historical
influences and present perceptions, highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of the self,
identity, and memory. Through this exploration she invites the viewers to consider their
place within a complex cultural tapestry and to embrace the journey of self-awareness.
Shah’s work has been included in numerous national and international exhibitions, including in
London, Egypt, Finland, Geneva and has been exhibiting frequently in Washington DC. Her
work has been acquired by the permanent collections of Finland’s Poikilo Kouvola Art Museum,
the I&M Bank Collection in Kenya, Asian Development Bank, Washington DC, as well as
numerous private collections.
Prina Shah (b. 1973, Kenya) is a contemporary artist currently living in Nairobi, Kenya. Born
in Kenya to Indian parents, Shah also grew up partially in the U.K. Her quest of self-discovery
and spiritual investigation began when Shah had to flee the nation to seek refuge after the
attempted coup in 1982. For Shah, art serves as a space for freedom, healing, and
transformation. Her artistic work embraces the indeterminacy of her national identity,
including a fascination with the formation of selfhood.
Her creative career spans over two decades, during which she has researched and
developed a variety of unconventional yet varied techniques using mixed media, hair,
sculpture, painting, and glasswork and installations - Shah’s artistic journey serves as a space
for self- discovery probing the dualities of existence, seamlessly weaving physical and
spiritual realms into her narrative.
Using meditation as the impetus and foundation of her work, her art evokes a potent blend
of personal history and broader cultural context - encouraging a dialogue between historical
influences and present perceptions, highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of the self,
identity, and memory. Through this exploration she invites the viewers to consider their
place within a complex cultural tapestry and to embrace the journey of self-awareness.
Shah’s work has been included in numerous national and international exhibitions, including in
London, Egypt, Finland, Geneva and has been exhibiting frequently in Washington DC. Her
work has been acquired by the permanent collections of Finland’s Poikilo Kouvola Art Museum,
the I&M Bank Collection in Kenya, Asian Development Bank, Washington DC, as well as
numerous private collections.
CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME Prina Shah
D.O.B 1st July 1973
ADDRESS P.O.Box 38932- 00623 Nairobi, Kenya
SEX Female
EDUCATION
1994/95 1Year- BA(HONS) Fine Art Foundation at Southampton Technical College, Southampton, UK.
1993 Diploma - Art and Design at Creative Art Centre, Kenya
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2018-present Owner/Visual Artist at Prina Shah Studios , Kenya
2015-present Co-founder And Facilitator for Art and Healing Programs for The Sterling Foundation
2014-present Meditation Practitioner
2008-2018 Creative Director - Kilolo Designs Ltd, Kenya.
1995-present Visual Artist
SOLO EXHIBITION
2024 The Unseen Morton Fine Art, Washington DC, USA.
2022 In Transition Gallery Brulhart, Geneva, Switzerland
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Patterns, Patchwork, Origami Gallery B, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC.
2024 Meditation on Blue, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC.
Dance to the Rhythm of My Soul, Nairobi National Museum curated by Metamorphosis Art Projects, UK.
2023 Salon Style: Summer Small Works, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC, USA.
2023 Creating a New Whole, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC, USA
2022 Art Affair “22, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Kenya
2020 Red, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Kenya
2019 Lucid Dreams, Circle Art Gallery, Kenya
2015 Paper1, Circle Art Gallery, Kenya
2014 Paper 11, Circle Art Gallery, Kenya
2013 Sanctuary 11, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London, UK
2011 ARS 11, Poikilo Kuovola Art Museum, Finland
Sanctuary, National Museum of Kenya
2010 Amnesia, National Museum of Kenya
2009 Festival Cultur Elles, French Cultural Center, Nairobi, Kenya
Probe, Godown Arts Center, Nairobi, Kenya
Made in Afrika, National Museum of Kenya, curated by Simon Njami
Beyond Desert, Darb 1718 Culture Centre, Cairo, Egypt
2007 Art show, International School of Kenya
2004 Wasaani Exhibits, Lamu, Kenya
2002 Monsoon Musings, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2001 Exhibits, United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
2000 Bush Glass BGY2K, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Best of Kenya, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Art Affair, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
1999 Bush Glass Output ABC Place, Nairobi, Kenya
Glass and Metal, French Cultural Center, Nairobi, Kenya
Art Affair, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
1998 Sculptures, Product Design Development Centre, Kenya
Best of Kuona, Gallery of Contemporary East African Art, National Museum of Kenya
Earth and Ocean, Scalters House, Nairobi, Kenya
1997 The 3 of Us, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Art Affair, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Stone Carving, Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
1995 East Africa Art, Gallery Watatu, Kenya
OPEN STUDIO
2025 Open studio Prina Shah Studios, Nairobi, Kenya
WORKSHOPS
2001 Women’s Bush Glass International, Kitengela Hot Glass, Kenya
2000 Bush Glass International, Kitengela Hot Glass, Kenya
1999 Bush Glass International, Kitengela Hot Glass, Kenya
1997 Stone Carving, Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
LEADING WORKSHOPS
2016 Art and Healing, Gioto Slums, Nakuru, Kenya
2002 Painting and Glass, Oshwal Community Centre, Kenya
1998 Stone and Wood Carving, Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
Welding Workshop Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
RESIDENCY
2004 2 weeks at Wasaani Lamu, Kenya
PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS
2024
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/big-read/2024-08-27-journey-of-self exploration-and-cultural-reflection-through-art
https://artafricamagazine.org/nairobi-national-museum-celebrates-60-years-of-diplomacy between-south-korea-and-kenya/
https://artplugged.co.uk/prina-shah-the-unseen/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2024/03/29/art-gallery shows-dc-area/
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/686524/washington-women-in-jazz festival-city-lights-for-march-28-to-april-3/
2020
https://africanah.org/prina-shah/
2019
https://contemporaryand.com/exhibition/lucid-dreams/
2011
Africa in Kouvola, Finland
ARS 11 Kiasma, Finland
AARRE newspaper, Finland
TUNNE magazine, Finland
2009
Awaaz Volume 6, issue 2, Kenya
Amnesia, Nairobi Art Trust Party/Centre of Contemporary Art of East Africa
http://sukumakenya.blogspot.com/2009/06/?m=1
NOTEABLE PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Asian Development Bank, Washington DC, USA.
Poikilo Kouvola Art Museum, Finland
Embassy of The United States of America, Dar-e-salaam
I & M Bank Collection, Kenya
KPMG East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
NAME Prina Shah
D.O.B 1st July 1973
ADDRESS P.O.Box 38932- 00623 Nairobi, Kenya
SEX Female
EDUCATION
1994/95 1Year- BA(HONS) Fine Art Foundation at Southampton Technical College, Southampton, UK.
1993 Diploma - Art and Design at Creative Art Centre, Kenya
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2018-present Owner/Visual Artist at Prina Shah Studios , Kenya
2015-present Co-founder And Facilitator for Art and Healing Programs for The Sterling Foundation
2014-present Meditation Practitioner
2008-2018 Creative Director - Kilolo Designs Ltd, Kenya.
1995-present Visual Artist
SOLO EXHIBITION
2024 The Unseen Morton Fine Art, Washington DC, USA.
2022 In Transition Gallery Brulhart, Geneva, Switzerland
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Patterns, Patchwork, Origami Gallery B, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC.
2024 Meditation on Blue, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC.
Dance to the Rhythm of My Soul, Nairobi National Museum curated by Metamorphosis Art Projects, UK.
2023 Salon Style: Summer Small Works, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC, USA.
2023 Creating a New Whole, Morton Fine Art, Washington DC, USA
2022 Art Affair “22, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Kenya
2020 Red, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Kenya
2019 Lucid Dreams, Circle Art Gallery, Kenya
2015 Paper1, Circle Art Gallery, Kenya
2014 Paper 11, Circle Art Gallery, Kenya
2013 Sanctuary 11, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London, UK
2011 ARS 11, Poikilo Kuovola Art Museum, Finland
Sanctuary, National Museum of Kenya
2010 Amnesia, National Museum of Kenya
2009 Festival Cultur Elles, French Cultural Center, Nairobi, Kenya
Probe, Godown Arts Center, Nairobi, Kenya
Made in Afrika, National Museum of Kenya, curated by Simon Njami
Beyond Desert, Darb 1718 Culture Centre, Cairo, Egypt
2007 Art show, International School of Kenya
2004 Wasaani Exhibits, Lamu, Kenya
2002 Monsoon Musings, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
2001 Exhibits, United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
2000 Bush Glass BGY2K, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Best of Kenya, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Art Affair, RaMoMA Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
1999 Bush Glass Output ABC Place, Nairobi, Kenya
Glass and Metal, French Cultural Center, Nairobi, Kenya
Art Affair, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
1998 Sculptures, Product Design Development Centre, Kenya
Best of Kuona, Gallery of Contemporary East African Art, National Museum of Kenya
Earth and Ocean, Scalters House, Nairobi, Kenya
1997 The 3 of Us, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Art Affair, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya
Stone Carving, Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
1995 East Africa Art, Gallery Watatu, Kenya
OPEN STUDIO
2025 Open studio Prina Shah Studios, Nairobi, Kenya
WORKSHOPS
2001 Women’s Bush Glass International, Kitengela Hot Glass, Kenya
2000 Bush Glass International, Kitengela Hot Glass, Kenya
1999 Bush Glass International, Kitengela Hot Glass, Kenya
1997 Stone Carving, Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
LEADING WORKSHOPS
2016 Art and Healing, Gioto Slums, Nakuru, Kenya
2002 Painting and Glass, Oshwal Community Centre, Kenya
1998 Stone and Wood Carving, Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
Welding Workshop Kuona Trust, National Museum of Kenya
RESIDENCY
2004 2 weeks at Wasaani Lamu, Kenya
PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS
2024
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/big-read/2024-08-27-journey-of-self exploration-and-cultural-reflection-through-art
https://artafricamagazine.org/nairobi-national-museum-celebrates-60-years-of-diplomacy between-south-korea-and-kenya/
https://artplugged.co.uk/prina-shah-the-unseen/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2024/03/29/art-gallery shows-dc-area/
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/686524/washington-women-in-jazz festival-city-lights-for-march-28-to-april-3/
2020
https://africanah.org/prina-shah/
2019
https://contemporaryand.com/exhibition/lucid-dreams/
2011
Africa in Kouvola, Finland
ARS 11 Kiasma, Finland
AARRE newspaper, Finland
TUNNE magazine, Finland
2009
Awaaz Volume 6, issue 2, Kenya
Amnesia, Nairobi Art Trust Party/Centre of Contemporary Art of East Africa
http://sukumakenya.blogspot.com/2009/06/?m=1
NOTEABLE PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Asian Development Bank, Washington DC, USA.
Poikilo Kouvola Art Museum, Finland
Embassy of The United States of America, Dar-e-salaam
I & M Bank Collection, Kenya
KPMG East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
