Solomon Kyalo

My younger years were a time of political tensions with Kenya caught in the grip of an autocratic regime. Growing up in the Eastlands side of Nairobi – a region rich in political history and pop-cultural influence across the country, I witnessed my mother (a new generation of a young, independent nation) becoming deeply involved in politics. As I grew older, I became more immersed in communities that used art as self-expression and activism to bring about social change. I bear witness to that strong influence in my work which transcends mere documentation. It is grounded in the human experience, the simple yet elaborate everyday moments in life, in the natural world, communities, and culture. It is a tool of expression, connection, and meditation.

 

 

This series illuminates the postcolonial complexities of Kenya’s political landscape. Each subject embodies the ongoing paradoxes and contradictions between the tangled threads of inherited power and the flickering promise of individual meritocracy.

Viewers are invited to contemplate this quest for identity and autonomy. Through confronting the lingering echoes of colonial legacies, they are prompted to actively reflect on Kenya’s enduring aspirations for opportunity and authenticity in the present moment.