East Africa’s largest art exhibition opens in Nairobi, over 800 works on display
This year’s edition features over 400 artists and more than 800 works on display, ranging from first-time exhibitors to internationally recognized names.
Art lovers in Nairobi are in for a vibrant two-day showcase of paintings from artists across Kenya and beyond.
The Affordable Art Show, East Africa’s largest art exhibition, brings together both emerging and established creatives in a celebration of visual storytelling.
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This year’s edition features over 400 artists and more than 800 works on display, ranging from first-time exhibitors to internationally recognised names.
The event is juried, with prices determined through discussions between artists and a panel that includes the Curator of Art at the National Museum of Kenya.
A collection of paintings on display at the Affordable Art Show. (Photo: Barack Oduor)
A portion of each artwork’s sale price will support the Kenya Museums Society, funding projects across the country’s museums.
Visitors to the show are treated to live art sessions, with four artists creating new pieces in real time.
On Saturday, attendees had the chance to meet and interact with Samuel Muriithi and Sharon Gekonge, while Risper Achieng’ and Mirumbe are set to engage audiences on Sunday.
This year’s exhibition poster was designed by Ugandan artist Alimo Ziporah. Her featured piece, Inseparable, explores the theme of unconditional love, a bond she describes as unbreakable and beyond material exchange.
“A mother’s love for her child is forever. The bond between the two is inseparable and expressed in many forms. It’s a forever-together bond,” said Ziporah.
A self-taught artist, Ziporah draws inspiration from African women and their cultural heritage.
Her work often tells stories of hidden traditions and everyday life, using love and unity as central themes. Her abstract style blends oils, acrylics, and modelling paste, with emotions conveyed through textured lines, shapes, and colours.
Alimo Ziporah's featured piece, Inseparable. (Photo: Barack Oduor)
Among other exhibiting artists is 29-year-old Samuel Muriithi.
Based in Nairobi, Muriithi’s passion for drawing and painting began in childhood and led him to pursue a fine arts degree at Kenyatta University (KU).
His work reflects personal experiences, childhood memories, and socio-political commentary on Kenyan society. His signature style features “humanised” animals in fantastical settings alongside human figures and still life.
He believes that the objects, people, and activities surrounding us mirror the society we live in. His canvases are playful yet thought-provoking, aiming to both critique and captivate.
Also featured is Risper Achieng’, a Nairobi-based mixed media artist who discovered her passion early in life.
After completing her education, she committed to creating textured, two-dimensional artworks using electric wires and motherboards on canvas.
Her pieces are known for their vibrant colours and unique compositions, often exploring real-life themes that reflect her emotions and inspirations.
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