Boniface Maina

Born in Kenya in 1987

Lives and works in Nanyuki, Kenya

ARTIST'S BIO

Boniface Maina predominantly works in painting and drawing, delving into the inconsistencies and conflicts of human interaction within physical spaces. His compositions feature distorted, often exaggerated figures intricately drawn with interwoven lines, giving them a muscular appearance. These figures seem to embody the anatomical study of the human form, reflecting the peculiarities of everyday existence and inviting viewers to contemplate their own physical and social interactions.

Maina’s approach involves blending traditional art-making techniques with contemporary concerns, resulting in a tension-filled and experimental style. He layers paint and ink on various substrates, symbolizing the foundational aspects upon which individuals reveal or personalize themselves. The backgrounds in his compositions serve as supportive highlights, sometimes deepening and sometimes limiting the viewer’s perspective. Through these techniques, Maina aims to spark dialogues that question societal constructs and conditions.

Maina earned his diploma in Art and Design from the YMCA National Training Institute in Nairobi in 2008 and co-founded the Brush Tu artists’ collective in 2013.

Solo Exhibitions

Delicate Densities

Waiting, Watching and Wishing

Transitions

Line of Inquiry

Group Exhibitions

2022

- African identities, AKKA Project Venice, Venice, Italy

- Walking the Edge, Afriart Gallery, Kampala, Uganda

2021

- East African Encounters, Cromwell Place, London, UK

- African Galleries Now, Artsy Online, Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya

2020

- East Africa Art Auction, Nairobi, Kenya

- Nairobi Altered States, Artsy Online, with Circle Art Gallery

2019

- Objects Space Movement and Facades, One Off Contemporary, Nairobi, Kenya

- Anima Mundi {Consciousness}, Venice, Italy

- Behind This Face, Gravitart. Nairobi, Kenya

2018

- Ode To Mankind, ARTYRAMA, Lagos, Nigeria

- A Glimpse Of East Africa, Lagos, Nigeria

2017

- East African Art Auction, Nairobi, Kenya

- Art Transposition, LKB/G, Hamburg, Germany

- Young Guns, Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya

2016

- Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi Kenya

- Danish Embassy Residence, Nairobi, Kenya

- Glocal Art Gallery, Denmark

2015

- Russian Embassy Residence, Nairobi, Kenya

2014

- Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi, Kenya

- Finding Voice I, II, III, Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi, Kenya

2013

- UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya

- Glocal Art Gallery, Denmark

2012

- Discovered Talents, Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi, Kenya

2010

- Unveiling Africa, Alliance Francaise, Nairobi, Kenya

- Italian Institute of Culture, Nairobi, Kenya

ART FAIRS

2022

- WopArt Fair, Lugano, Switzerland with AKKA Project

- Art Dubai 2022, Dubai, UAE

- Investec, Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, South Africa

2021

- East African Encounters, Cromwell Place, London, UK

2018

- World Art Dubai, Dubai, UAE, with AKKA Project

- ART X, Artyrama, Lagos, Nigeria

2017

- Jo’burg Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

- AKAA (Also Known As Africa), Paris, France

2016

- Kenya Art Fair, Nairobi, Kenya

2015

- Kenya Art Fair, Nairobi, Kenya

2014

- Kenya Art Fair, Nairobi, Kenya

RESIDENCIES

2023 – Africa 1:1 Residency Project, AKKA Project Venice in collaboration with Ca’ Pesaro, International Gallery of Modern Art, Venice, Italy, and Africa First, Tel Aviv, Israel

FEATURES & REVIEWS

Nation.africa – Kenyan artists exhibit their works at Russian ambassador’s home

The East African – How blotches blot artist’s copybook

Business Daily Africa – Rare glimpse into a troubled mind

Business Daily Africa – Rare glimpse into a troubled mind

Video FEATURES

ArtX Lagos

Art Across Borders

Circle Art Agency

Waiting, Watching, and Wishing

Safaricom PLC

Kenyao On Canvas

Gallery

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Untitled design
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