IEA News

Almas Art Foundation is honoured to announce its exhibition of Richard Kimathi at The Africa Centre, London from April 23 to April 28. Heaven is Dry will showcase a curated selection of artworks spanning Richard Kimathi's three-decade career.

The exhibition will also feature a documentary film and a publication providing enriching perspectives on Kimathi's artistic trajectory, with texts by Thom Ogonga and Rosie Olang’ Odhiambo.

Richard Kimathi studied graphics at the Creative Art Centre in Nairobi and subsequently joined Kuona Trust. He currently lives and works in his studio in Malaa, southeast of Nairobi. Kimathi’s caricature-like disconnected figures provide a compelling and emphatic commentary on his community’s disenfranchised, working-age population.

His practice highlights the often-ignored issue of male mental struggles, and the societal pressures to appear tough while dealing with depravity, depression or substance abuse.
Kimathi exhibits regularly at One Off Contemporary Art Gallery. He represented Kenya in the Dak’art Biennale in Senegal in 2006 and the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017. 

The works in this exhibition have been loaned from One Off Contemporary Art Gallery and Richard Kimathi Studio.