Paul Onditi Kenya, b. 1980
Paul Onditi (b. 1980, Kenya) is a contemporary artist based in Nairobi, known for his distinctive mixed-media approach that explores themes of identity, technology, and environmental change. His work is recognized for its intricate layering of materials and its thought-provoking engagement with global issues.
In 2000, Onditi moved to Germany, where he studied at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Offenbach am Main. After a decade of artistic exploration in Europe, he returned to Nairobi in 2010, becoming part of a new generation of African artists gaining international recognition. His work has since evolved into a complex visual language that bridges traditional and digital techniques.
Onditi’s artistic process is highly experimental and labor-intensive. Using digital polyester inkjet plates as his primary surface, he integrates materials such as filmstrips, transferred images, caustic acid, and oil paint to construct layered, multidimensional compositions. His signature motif—an enigmatic, solitary figure—navigates these abstract landscapes, symbolizing the individual’s place in a rapidly shifting world. His earlier works depicted the chaotic urbanization of modern cities, while his more recent pieces explore broader themes of fragmentation, digital consciousness, and environmental decay. Vivid bursts of color—orange, cobalt, and viridian—underscore pressing global concerns such as climate change, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources.
Onditi’s work has been exhibited widely, with solo and group shows in Kenya, Germany, and beyond. His pieces have been featured in major international art platforms, including Bonhams’ Africa Now auctions in London (2013, 2014) and the first auction dedicated to Contemporary East African Art in Nairobi (2013). He has also participated in the Ernst & Young Auction at the Museum für Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt and was selected for a solo presentation at VOLTA New York in 2016.
With his ever-evolving approach and unique artistic vision, Paul Onditi continues to push the boundaries of contemporary African art, offering a compelling reflection on the intersection of humanity, technology, and the environment.
