Nedia Were

Nedia Were is a contemporary visual artist born and raised in Kenya and currently based in Nairobi. His practice is rooted in an ongoing engagement with the social, environmental, and psychological realities of contemporary life. Drawing from personal experience, observation, and the visual language of popular culture, Were creates paintings that invite reflection on the relationship between the individual and the rapidly changing world around them.

Were’s relationship with image making began in childhood, when he spent time drawing characters from cartoons, comic books, and newspapers. His early fascination with newspapers was further shaped by his grandfather’s deep appreciation for reading them. Through these stories, Were became increasingly aware of the social and political events unfolding around him. This exposure developed into a lasting sensitivity to the experiences of others and a desire to engage with issues affecting society, particularly those that remain overlooked or unheard.

Nedia has participated in over 30 exhibitions. Since his successful debut of the “Mumwamu” series at Mitochondria Gallery as part of the Duo exhibition “The Line between” in the fall of 2021, Nedia has continued to receive major excitement around his work. He was named the second most followed emerging artist on Artsy in 2022. He made his debut Biennale as part of the XIV Florence Biennale in October 2023. Nedia’s work is part of the permanent collection at the New Museum, Berlin. His works can be found in private and public collections in Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe.

Museum Exhibition

We Belong Here: The Guitierrez Collection. Cameron Art Museum.
Dig Where You Stand. Foundation Zinzou. Oudia. 2024.
4000 years of African Art. Wall House Museum. Saint Barthelemy.

Gallery Exhibitions

Gathering At Dawn.
Nedia Were Miami

Artist Visit : Nedia Were

Select Press

CV : Nedia Were

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
• 2023. The Possibilities of becoming. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston, TX.
• 2022. Fragments of Perceptions. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston, TX.
• 2022. My World/My View. Ross-Sutton Gallery. London, England.

BIENNALE
2023. XIV Florence Biennale. Florence. Italy

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
2024. Dig Where You Stand. Foundation Zinzou. Oudia.
2022. 4000 years of African Art. Wall House Museum. Saint Barthelemy.
2019. Essence of time. Jimmy Kitheka and Nedia Were, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.

SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024. SCOPE Miami Beach. Mitochondria Gallery.
2024. Gathering At Dawn. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston, TX.
2023. When the Sun Stands Still, Mitochondria Gallery, Houston, TX
2023. Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Eclectica. South Africa.
2023. Miart Fair. Eclectica. Italy.
2022. AKAA Paris Fair. Eclectica Contemporary. Paris. France.
2022 FNB Joburg 2021. Eclectica Contemporary. South Africa.
2022. Fragments of Perceptions. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston, TX.
2022. Sotheby’s. CCA Lagos Benefit Auction.
2021. FNB Joburg 2021. Eclectica Contemporary.
2021. Black Excellence. Ross-Sutton Gallery. Miami, Florida.
2021. The Line Between. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston. TX.
2021. Manjano Art Competition, Alliance Francaese.
2021. Group Exhibition Little Art Gallery, Nairobi Kenya.
2020. Group Exhibition Little Art Gallery, Nairobi Kenya.
2020. Manjano Art Competition, Village Market.
2020. Bookbunk Art Auction, Nairobi Kenya.
2019. Group Exhibition at international schools of Kenya (ISK).
2019. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.
2019. Group Exhibition, Karen Country Club.
2019. (Essence of time) Jimmy Kitheka and Nedia Were, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.
2019. Group Exhibition Arusha Cultural Heritage Arusha Tanzani.
2018. Mentorship Art Program Dust Depo by Partrick Mukabi.
2018. Safaricom Art Competition,Nairobi Kenya.
2018. Group Exhibition at Mckinsey Mtaani Exhibition.
2018. Group Exhibition at international schools of Kenya(ISK).
2018. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.
2017. Manjano Art competition, Village Market.
2017. Kenya Art Fair Sarit Centre.
2017. Group Exhibition, Karen Country club.
2017. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.
2016. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.
2016. Group Exhibition, Karen Country club.
2015. Group Exhibition, Karen Country club.

** Editors Note. Nedia Were. Mitochondria Gallery. 2026.