Alex Mbugua: In His Own Words

Kenya Mon 27-11-2006

Alex Mbugua: In His Own Words
By Africancolours.com

A farmer’s spirit with an artist’s hands, Kenyan artist, Alex Mbugua was a sculptor and painter who graduated in graphics & textile designs.

In collaboration with other artists from the Banana Hill Art studios, he participated in many other workshops and cultural exchanges. In one of those, he created his first sculpture which was entitled "Two in One".

This saw his work travel from Nairobi to New York City translating across languages and borders. He created colorful and vibrant images presenting the beauty and pain, the struggles and achievements of the African woman. Mbugua’s unique vision of the often over-looked woman in Africa celebrated the contribution of their hard work and dedication to their home and home land. “I am inspired by African women in our society”, he said

AfricanColours profiled Alex Mbugua in what would be the last interview before he passed away on 14th November 2006.

AfricanColours: Why create art?

Alex: I was born with the gift. I come from a family of artists. My youngest brother is also an artist and yet there are younger ones (my nephews) coming up.

AC: Where did you study art? What media have you studied?

AM: I didn’t really study art but I studied graphic design and attained a diploma from Y.M.C.A Shauri Moyo.

AC: What is the life of an artist in Kenya?

AM: Art in Africa is still new and not understood. I always thought that art was just a talent until I sold my first painting, then I realized it could be a business. I never made it in graphic design, after the invasion of computers which I knew nothing about.

AC: Where have you exhibited in Kenya? Africa? Internationally?

AM: In Kenya at the Village Market, RaMoMA, International School of Kenya and in the United States in New York and New Jersey.

AC: Did you travel outside of Kenya for your exhibits in the US?

AM: No, I have never traveled outside of Kenya.

AC: On the AfricanColours website the work is mainly oil and mixed media? Given your background in graphic design, textiles, screen printing and interior design why did you move to painting as your main medium?

AM: Painting was the top mark in my talent. Designing also but I never made it in that line so I sort of gave it up.

AC: You have stated that you are motivated by “by your subjects who are diverse and portray your community social activities” and the African Woman?” Can you elaborate on what that means and how it is manifested in your artwork?

AM: I am sensitive to people suffering. I would read books on the developments going on in Europe while we in Africa are suffering. I watched my mother walk for kilometers to fetch water. My paintings are mainly about women because they are the ones who suffer the most. I try to portray this suffering in my paintings to show the many ups and downs in people’s lives. I send the message silently through my paintings to let people know exactly what is happening.

AC: What specifically about the African woman inspires your work? What pieces reflect this?

AM: The African woman suffers more than the African man and I try to express this in my paintings. I will show a woman fetching water, going to catch fish for food to show the extent to which a woman will go to provide for her family.

AC: Does your family support your decision to be an artist?

AM: My family did not support me at first. I [had to] provide my own school fees to make it to college. Now my family supports me. I have actually influenced my brother, Jeff Wambugu, in his painting.

AC: Your thoughts on creating a viable art market through the Internet?

AM: Yes, the internet can be used as a viable market for art. We have to go with modern technology. We as artists have to let the global market know what we have and one way is through the internet.

AC: Should African artist stick to traditional art forms like: sculpture, textiles, beadwork, etc. or incorporate techniques most often associated with European or Western art?

AM: From my point of view, when I paint and compare my paintings with those of the European artists, I see a similarity but not because I try to copy them. I suppose it is because I use similar materials that they used, e.g. canvas, paints, brushes and such. My work is not influenced by the West, I just use the same materials.

I tried screen printing which was not accepted or recognized by the society. Africans need to recognize their own culture and appreciate it. Africans seem to appreciate my work but will not buy it.

AC: If you were not an artist what would be your career?

AM: Farming. I was raised on a farm and knew then that that was what I would take up, as my father was a farmer and earned a living from it. When I grew up, at first I wanted to take up technical drawing or civil engineering but could not make it into a good college.

AC: Describe the most beautiful piece of art you have even seen?

AM: Every price is beautiful to me, because it comes form someone’s mind. It is someone’s special creation.

AC: What would you say to the average African on the importance of art?

AM: All I would ask is for Africans to recognize art and appreciate it. There are so many young budding artists out there who are so talented but if they are not encouraged, they will disappear and soon there will be no artists left in Kenya.

“In our hearts with his works, he lives forever”

Posted By: African Colours

skip to top

Your Comments

skip to top

African Artists Portfolios

Innocent Nkurunziza is a Mixed Media Artist

Click To View All African Artist Portfolios

Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery

Shades of Time: An exhibition by Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery National Museum of Kenya

Editorials By Regions

Featured Artist Portfolio

Title: Making Ways
Name: Tabitha Wa Thuku
Country: Kenya
Medium: Mixed media on heavy canvas
Size: 149 X 140 cms
Click here to view