The Matatu Project: A Collection of Woodcuts

Kenya Tue 17-01-2012

The Matatu Project: A Collection of Woodcuts
Press Release

Matatu by Dennis Muragori

New exhibition at Le Rustique: 13th January-14th February

Born in 1980, Denis Muraguri has a Diploma in Painting and History of Art (Graduated top of Class) from Buru buru Institute of Fine Arts, Nairobi – Kenya. This is his first solo show in Kenya.

A collection of woodcuts

MATATU PROJECT

Matatus are a constant sight in Kenya and an icon of all it's cities and towns. Away from being the main mode of transport , they also provide for what one would say is street theater especially when faced with the challenge of having to run from the police and at the same time compete for customers.

There is also a creative side of the matatus . This involves "souping up" or upgrading the van or bus to attract more customers using heavy decorative paint work ,stickers and labels derived from current local and international brands mostly in the entertainment industry, loud music and plasma screens. This kind of matatus are called "manyangas" and are most notorious for wreckless driving and overcharging fare.

“As an artist,I felt for a long time coming with a body of work showing matatus: they are exciting to observe especially the drama surrounding them ,from the fact that they feed a lot more people than those directly involved mostly through extortion and bribes, their relationship with our social texture to how they evolve to beat laws put in place, all is fertile territory for me”.

Posted By: Andrew Njoroge

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