You're a contemporary artist. What is the contemporary art scene in Nairobi?

I am a well-established contemporary visual artist based in Nairobi. The contemporary art scene in Nairobi is in the midst of intriguing change and growth. Now artists have decided since no one is doing this for us, we will have to be the ones preaching the gospel of art. The middle class will find that more Kenyans are buying art, the art scene is growing, and everything is in transition.

I lived in Dar Es Salaam, not too far from Nairobi, but I never spent time in your city. What are two great things about living and working in Nairobi?

Wow, even I have never been to Dar Es Salaam before. Okay, well, you get cultured at the museums and art galleries and make a living, but you’ll earn more here than anywhere else in Kenya.

You've said your art is an expression of yourself. Does your art influence your personality or vice versa?

Yes, my art influences my personality. I could record my memories, experiences, tastes, and feelings through drawing. Now, people understand my perspective, how I think, my vision, and desires much more effectively. I work myself.

Can you tell us about your Mask series? How did the idea come about?

My ideas came from quarantine things because people stayed home and wore masks most of the time. The wearing of masks relates to the current Covid-19 safety measures. Without a full face to look at, the women could be anybody, leaving the viewer to superimpose their own person. Seen only from the side, the arms quiet, with no dramatic gaze, there's a quiet. This contrasts with the bold blues, browns, curves, and lines that form her hair and body. I think I particularly like the blue because it's the color of water, and the color we so often seen is associated with healing. The wonderful brown you see is ink, bleach, charcoal, watercolours, and coffee.

Art can have a profound impact on people and society. Where does your art sit at this intersection?

The artist is society’s third eye. My art does not only decorate society. It also expresses emotions, struggles, desires, and, most importantly, my perspectives.

We're all influenced by others. What is the one big influence that drives your work?

Working in different spaces, engaging with the international community, and drawing/painting environments and cultures will give me new experiences that play a huge role in the practice.

It's now been a year since the lockdown. In what way has this insane period changed your work/life?

It changed or influenced my perspective by interacting with a new environment and being surrounded by a totally new audience. My achievement shall be evident in my approach to my materials and how I shall be interpreting my subjects.

What is the one piece of life advice you would give your younger self?

Women’s freedom of speech, profiling, and identity. Being in love with their body or who they are.

Suppose you had a huge platform, unlimited budget, and creative freedom. What would be your dream art project?

My dream art project would be to open a massive project for my solo exhibition, but I’m currently working on more Women’s body of works and planning to open my own gallery.

Where was the last place you went on holiday?

The last time I went to Malindi and Watamu last year after Christmas. I really needed more time and have peace.

If you weren't an artist, what would you be doing, and why?

I am guessing that you mean earning a living from being an artist. I have never sold any pictures and don’t really want to. The trouble with making a living from painting is that to sell; you have to pander to popular taste. It might sound like an easy life selling piece, but it is like most jobs. It involves repetition and sometimes painting things you are not very interested in. I know of an artist who earns quite good money but wishes that someone didn’t have to paint yet another landscape with crashing waves, just because they sell really well. So the kind of artist I would like to be does not have to make things that are nice and pretty for money. I like to paint and draw things that many would find apocalyptic, depressing, political, and reflecting things that make me angry or sad. I need to keep my day job.

Check out Nadia’s work on her website. And follow her on Instagram @nadeartist

Cheers mates!