Jimmy Kitheka Kenya, b. 1993
Biography
“I try to reimagine myself living in that time through my paintings. Some ideas came from the dreams that I have of me experiencing the same adventures they had back in the days”.
Jimmy Kitheka was born in 1993 in Kenya, he currently lives in Ngong and works in Nairobi, where his studio is located.
Jimmy is an impressionistic artist captivated by landscapes and oneiric scenarios; through shadows and blur effects Kitheka evokes a sense of nostalgia. His work allows us to travel back in time to stories told by his grandfather and father. Stories that retrace life in Nairobi in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. His main medium is oil paints on canvas and chalk pastels when sketching on paper, both portray effects on a painting or a sketch, to look retro or like a memory. He’s also used acrylics and charcoal in some of his artworks.
Jimmy is a young artist with a promising future, strongly building his reputation as the Keyan Edward Hopper. Since 2020, he has been taking part in solo and group shows throughout the African Continent, and in Venice and Dubai with AKKA Project. Recently, two of Jimmy's latest works have been acquired by Fondation Frances, Paris, France, and has been included in their private contemporary art collection. In 2022, Jimmy's work The Life Guard entered the Museums of Kenya Permanent Collection.
Works
- Jimmy KithekaBlue shadows at palazzo Ricci, 2022Oil on Canvas50 x 35 cm
- Jimmy KithekaThe Blue and Glass Safari, 2022Oil on Canvas70 x 100 cm
- Jimmy KithekaThe Lost Golden Girl, 2022Oil on Canvas70 x 100 cm
- Jimmy KithekaThe Wanderers Memory, 2022Oil on Canvas50 x 35 cm
- Jimmy KithekaCherubim "A Face on OX" (Without the Winged Beings), 2023Oils on Canvas90 x 70 cm
- Jimmy KithekaChetu Chetu Gizani (Ours in the Dark), 2023Pastel and charcoal on strawboard paper100 x 110 cm
- Jimmy KithekaMawazo ya Mitaani (Street Mentality), 2023Pastel and charcoal on strawboard paper94 x 100 cm
- Jimmy KithekaMawazo ya Mitaani III (Street Mentality 3), 2023Pastel and charcoal on strawboard paper97 x 97 cm
- Jimmy KithekaMbio za Balaa! (Overwhelming Street), 2023Pastel and charcoal on strawboard paper107 x 107 cm
- Jimmy KithekaMitaa Balaa! (Overwhelming Street), 2023Pastel and charcoal on strawboard paper100 x 100 cm
- Jimmy KithekaMkutano ("Gathering") an Antisocial Gathering, 2023Oils on Canvas100 x 80 cm
- Jimmy KithekaMother's Tears , 2023Oils on Canvas100 x 100 cm
- Jimmy KithekaOrange Dusk at Glass Island, 2023Oils on Canvas100 x 80 cm
- Jimmy KithekaPanacota Street Silouhettes, 2023Oils on Canvas92 x 77 cm
- Jimmy KithekaSilouhettes View from Piazza della Libertà, 2023Oils on Canvas60 x 40 cm
- Jimmy KithekaSilouhettes View from Piazza della Libertà, Macerata, 2023Oils on Canvas80 x 70 cm
- Jimmy KithekaUgandan Pavilion, 2023Oils on Canvas100 x 80 cm
- Jimmy KithekaDaily life, 2021Oils on Canvas130x177 cm
- Jimmy KithekaGolden Girls, Nairobi streets edition, Light and Blue Silence Series, 2022Oils on Canvas80 x 101 cm
- Jimmy KithekaYoung Flamma (Flame), 2022Oil on Canvas116,5 x 89,5 cm
Series
Exhibitions
Events
Art Fairs
News
Press
“African Identities” Chapter II at AKKA Project in Venice, Italy
Edition board, On Art Media, 22 August 2022African Identities Group Exhibition
arte.it, Arte.it, 18 June 2022African Identities Group Exhibition Chapter II
Contemporary and, 2 June 2022AKKA project – African Identities Group exhibition
Redazione Art Vibes, Art Vibes, 28 April 2022I mille volti degli artisti Africani: alla AKKA Project la mostra collettiva African Identities
Redazione, NotiziArte, 26 April 2022‘African Identities’ at AKKA Project, Venice, Italy
ARTAFRICA, 25 March 2022Africa Arte e Architettura
Stefano Bucci, La Lettura – Corriere della Sera, 31 January 2021Jimmy Kitheka è un giovane artista che racconta la sua infanzia attraverso i suoi dipinti ad olio
Redazione, Pikasus Arte News, 27 January 2021Kenya / Jimmy Kitheka / IL EST SIX HEURES DU MATIN, IL FAIT ENCORE FROID.
Zo Mag', 16 December 2020