Venice, at AKKA Project the solo exhibition of Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru

An exhibition and an artist residency as part of the group exhibition African Identities: it’s going to be a particularly busy start to autumn for AKKA Project, a commercial art gallery and project space, with venues in Venice and Dubai, that represents and supports mainly artists from the African continent and its diaspora. The exhibition, at the gallery’s Venice location, is A Small World by Cyrus Kabiru (Nairobi, 1984), scheduled from Sept. 1 to Oct. 10. Following the Artist Residencies program already undertaken by AKKA Project, the gallery reveals the result of the 2021 residency, announcing Kabiru’s solo exhibition that will focus precisely on works created during the artist’s stay in Venice, Aug. 25 to Oct. 31, 2021, and on works created, instead, in his studio in Nairobi, through the use of objects found in the Venetian lagoon, and brought with him to Kenya.

Inspired by objects found in his home environment in Nairobi, Kenya, Cyrus Kabiru embarked on the Venetian experience using salvaged materials that reflected the spirit of the city on the one hand, and his own distinctive style on the other. The artist’s chosen medium of expression has the ability to emphasize the concept of redevelopment and reuse, as well as its nostalgic connection to everyday objects. Mainly known for his self-portraits and C-Stunners, Cyrus Kabiru wants to give the viewer new lenses through which to see reality. Cyrus’ works are part of numerous private and public collections; most recently, the artwork Miyale Ya Blue was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York.

During Cyrus Kabiru’s solo exhibition, the Residency program will continue with the reception of the newly selected artist, namely Pamela Enyonu, (Kampala, 1985), who will be Artist in Residence from September 1 to October 31. The residency will be held at AKKA Project Venezia, located in the cultural and artistic heart of the Venetian lagoon.

Pamela Enyonu was born and still lives in Kampala, Uganda; she graduated from Kyambogo University Banda in Art and Design. The artist draws inspiration from issues of gender, identity, and emancipation to combine personal experience with an important collective message in her works. During this two-month residency at AKKA Project, Pamela will have the opportunity to explore and challenge her creative process. This period will allow Pamela to work on specific concepts, research, immerse herself and draw inspiration from the city of Venice itself. The artist-in-residence will have the opportunity to directly relate to Venice and the Italian territory, with their colors, cultures, and traditions. The result of this residency experience will later be exhibited during a solo exhibition of the artist, scheduled for the following year at AKKA Project.

For all information you can visit the AKKA Project website.

Pictured is one of Cyrus Kabiru’s C-Stunners, made in 2022.

Venice, at AKKA Project the solo exhibition of Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru

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