Mitochondria Gallery is proud to present “The Line Between”, this exhibition features new works by Mamus Esiebo (Lagos, Nigeria) and Nedia Were (Nairobi, Kenya). Both visual artists present works in form of figurative or portraiture that adopt the vivid, energetic, mundane, and beautiful interactions they observe within the
ecosystem of the respective cities in which they reside.
Mamus deconstructs his colorful experiences of the big city life in Lagos, Nigeria, where he transforms the lack of work-life balance, family expectations, and the pursuit of self-identification into an idyllic setting. The subjects in his works are placed in scenes that depict a balance of vital energy. His signature use of pin stripe and bold colors are employed to depict clothing on his figurines, and on surfaces of objects placed in the scene. He captures the gaze shared between lovers in the moments before the onset of a romantic getaway where anticipation and thrill are at a fever pitch. He also explores, the peace of sharing a public swimming pool with no strangers, just a familiar face, and a drink in hand. Mamus also explores the minutiae of interactions in our safe space.
Nedia presents a new body of work that is a documentation of people he interacts with daily in Nairobi, Kenya. The stories told by Nedia in this series harbor around the portrayal of individuals with darker skin tones across the media and the lack of positive representation. These works further amplify the message of self-love, acceptance, and the trauma’s associated with living in a globalized world that has marginalized humans based on skin color. These portraitures of black girls and black boys immortalized by Nedia depict the glow, and vibrancy of dark skin tones as they elegantly absorb and reflect light across their faces. The gaze from his subjects transports the viewer into a time capsule from Nairobi, where the viewer wanders into a conversation with the subject.
Opening Date: October 15th 2021. 5:00 pm to 9:00 PM. October 16th 2021. 10:00 am to 6:00 PM
Address: 2101 Winter Street, Houston, TX. 77077.
Artists
About Nedia Were
Nedia Were is a self-taught contemporary visual artist, who was born and raised in Kenya, where he currently resides. His initial passion for art was cultivated during his childhood, where he started drawing characters he observed in cartoons, comic books, and newspapers. As a teenager Nedia continued to pursue art as a Signwriter, where he developed his own style of Signwriting.
A major inspiration in Nedia’s style of painting was inspired by his grandfather’s love of reading newspapers. Nedia was intrigued by reading the events and topics covered in these papers, he found a deep connection with the events reported in the news. Nedia continuously felt an urge be part of the solution for social and environmental issues and provide additional outlets as a voice for the disenfranchised in the society. In reaction to these feelings, Nedia decided to create art that promotes internal and external dialogue on societal shortcomings.
The new body of work Nedia presents for the “The Line Between” is a response to the representation of Black figures in portraiture. “I want to challenge and integrate the preconceived idea of modern beauty and the current standards that have been created to define beauty. I believe so much in figurative paintings because they have a strong ability to empower one’s self-worth. So I set out to paint figurative works, so my community can have a sense of being part of great social conversation.”
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021…….Manjano Art Competion, Alliance Francaese
2021…….Group Exhibition Little Art Gallery , Nairobi Kenya
2020……Group Exhibition Little Art Gallery , Nairobi Kenya
2020…….Manjano Art Competion, Village Market
2020……Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya
2020……Bookbunk Art Auction Nairobi Kenya
2019…….Manjano Art Competion, Village Market
2019…….Group Exhition 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 Exhibiton at Mckinsey Mtaani Exhibition
2018…….Group Exhition 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
2016…….Group Exhibition Karen Country club
2015…….. Group Exhibition Karen
2015……… Group Exhibition Karen Country clu Country club
AWARDS
1ST PRIZE WINNER Manjano Art Competion Nairobi Kenya …..2017
1ST PRIZE WINNER Safaricom art Competion Nairobi Kenya …..2018
PRESS
DAIL NATION newspaper
SAFARICOM telecommunication company
TALKS/ WARKSHOPS
Art talk…………………… Kenyatta University( department of fine art )
Art talk…………………… University of Nairobi (department of Art and Design)
About Mamus Esiebo
Mamus Esiebo is a self-taught visual artist from Lagos, Nigeria. He studied graphic design at City Unity College. He creates visual art that situate around the simple things in life through digital illustration. Mamus deconstructs his colorful experiences of the big city life in Lagos, Nigeria, where he transforms the lack of work-life balance, family expectations, and the pursuit of self-identification into an idyllic setting. The subjects in his works are placed in scenes that depict a balance of vital energy. His signature use of pin stripe and bold colors are employed to depict clothing on his figurines, and on surfaces of objects placed in the scene. He captures the gaze shared between lovers in the moments before the onset of a romantic getaway where anticipation and thrill are at a fever pitch. He also explores, the peace of sharing a public swimming pool with no strangers, just a familiar face, and a drink in hand. Mamus also explores the minutiae of interactions in our safe space.
