Work In Progress

Kenya Wed 11-07-2007

Work In Progress
By a Correspondent

Mary Ogembo is one of the few practising female artists in Kenya. She has been practising since 1993. Now based at the Kuona trust studios at Go-down art centre, Mary has been working on a series of sandals on canvas which are commonly worn by women in Africa. “This is just a continuation of my present theme, "the African woman” says Mary Ogembo.

For a painter who began "dabbling in art way back in primary school, doodling in her free time as she experimented with forms, Mary Ogembo seems to have finally defined her own style and found the niche market for it" said Stanely Gazemba in the art magazine MSANII issue 19 April-June 2007.

Woman By Mary Ogembo It is impossible to resist the allure of her paintings, most of which pay homage to mothers of the African continent. Yet they are quite a turnaround from the landscapes and seascapes.

Mary Ogembo started painting as a novice artist. As her artistic perception sharpened Mary recalls a transformation spurred on by a nagging need to nurture her personal and professional growth. “My focus shifted, almost overnight, toward drawing paintings that celebrate lives and times of ordinary African women”, says Mary.

Kuona trust with the aid of the Ford Foundation supports contemporary african artist by subsidising their studio space. About 35 professional artist are currently working at the centre.

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