Karen Village is a winding warren of creative ventures. For the art enthusiast and the craftsperson, and for the handyman with an itch for the curious, its corridors and rooms are endless labyrinths of art in motion.
From the main building, poignant for its colonial heritage, to the artefacts it houses, any art lover will find a haven within this compound.
Narrowed down, however, to the exhibition room near the entrance are two young men immersed in their artistic worlds. Though similar in their passion for art, they differ significantly in their mediums.
Clifford Owino works magic with glass, while Ron Enoch’s realism unfolds on canvas. Their works are as distinct as pop music is from jazz, yet both are masters in their own right.
Cliff Obere with his painting at the Karen village art gallery in Nairobi, on December 16, 2024.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Clifford Owino is a multimedia artist who experiments with various materials, currently focusing on glass. His commitment to recycling is at the heart of his art, transforming discarded glass into intricate mosaics.
“I started with glass, fell in love with it, and now we are here,” he says. His art is not just about aesthetics but also environmental responsibility.
One of his standout pieces is a mosaic resembling honeycombs etched on a sunflower-like painting.
“For this painting, I was experimenting with texture,” Clifford explains. He drew inspiration from Van Gogh’s bold, textured style to create a vivid, layered background that ties the glass hexagons to the theme of bees and flowers.
Meticulous craftsmanship
Another piece, a portrait of an African woman, showcases his meticulous craftsmanship. Using ten different pieces of glass on a mural, Clifford’s innovative techniques shine through.
“If you walk into a gallery, you’ll see paintings, but rarely do artists think outside the box,” he notes.
His method of assembling glass with tile adhesive requires patience, as the adhesive’s flexibility demands constant adjustments. His work is a testament to his belief in pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted artistic territories.
In contrast, Ron Enoch’s hyperrealistic paintings offer an extraordinary focus on life’s overlooked details. From raindrops frozen in a traffic jam to the folds of an elderly woman’s skin, his work brings the mundane to life with stunning clarity.
Ron describes himself as someone who captures “things beautiful and delighting in life, giving you a frozen moment of existence.”
One of his most profound works is a portrait inspired by his grandmother, a 100-year-old woman peeling fruit. “It’s the peel of life,” he says, reflecting on the transience and contentment of a life well-lived. His attention to detail—from the textures of skin to the subtle interplay of shadows—creates paintings that resonate deeply.
Sh800,000 painting
Ron’s is evident in his themes and color schemes, which shift effortlessly from one painting to the next.
Ron Enoch poses for a photo next to his painting at the Karen village art gallery in Nairobi, on December 16, 2024.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“Each painting has a personal point of interpretation,” he explains. His ability to evoke emotion and tell stories through his art has already earned him significant recognition, including selling a painting for Sh800,000.
While Ron’s work delves into hyperrealism, Clifford’s approach is more experimental and tactile. Both artists, however, are united by their dedication to their craft and their ability to make viewers pause and reflect.
Clifford’s art challenges predictability, drawing inspiration from everyday life and environmental consciousness. His work—a blend of artistic expression and sustainability—offers a fresh perspective on what art can achieve.
Meanwhile, Ron’s paintings remind viewers of the beauty in life’s minutiae, offering a lens into moments often overlooked.
