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Political satire expressed in ink and gold leaf

Monday May 01 2017
Boniface Maina

The Political Dab, by Boniface Maina. PHOTO| KARI MUTU

In this year of Kenya’s general election, Boniface Maina gives us his perspective through a solo exhibition at the Nairobi Gallery titled Transitions.

Maina, 30, who is known for his satirical watercolours depicting human behaviour and social themes, embarked on new conversations in 2016. His surreal paintings challenge us to re-examine local leadership and political dishonesty.

In The Political Dab, a slender man in a dark suit and hat strikes a Michael Jackson dance pose with one hand covering his lowered face. Maina says it depicts the trend by politicians to curry favour with the crowds by dancing in public, hence the partly hidden face.

Tyranny of Aspirants shows several dozen faces that all look alike, a testament to the sameness of the overwhelming number of aspirants on the ballot box.
In this collection, Maina has used mostly ink, gold leaf and watercolours on paper; the colours are primarily black and brown, with an occasional red tie and green background.

In Flagbearer II and a number of his other images, the facial features are indistinct and the body is distorted with a huge torso above short, skinny legs.

The politician in The Serial Contestant has a dog-like face and body, and his head is surrounded by a halo of gold crowns because, says Maina, so many politicians see themselves as kings. Followers and their King is an ink sketch of footprints around a golden crown, depicting the hero worship of national leaders.

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For some pieces, Maina, 30, has inserted sardonic phrases such as in Kura ya Mheshimiwa where a smartly-dressed politician is casting his vote. The ballot box is sarcastically labelled the “parrot” box. Tables turned upside down surround the man, evocative of the chaos that often characterises voting.

Maina has exhibited in Kenya and abroad, and his works have been published in the book Master of Art Contemporary Volume I.

For several years, the Nairobi Gallery has focused on pioneer artists of East Africa. Transitions is the first of a series of exhibitions showcasing a new generation of younger artists such as Maina. The exhibition, arranged by the National Museums of Kenya and the Murumbi Trust, will run until June 30.

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