One gets the feeling that Kenya is on the cusp of socio-political change, as the youth press on with protests against poor governance and injustice.
That same hunger for transformation pulsed through the bold canvas paintings on display last Saturday at One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, which unveiled New Wave, an exhibition spotlighting the next generation of Kenyan visual artists.
Curated by veteran artist Thom Ogonga and assisted by Onyis Martin, New Wave features work from artists as young as 19, many of whom are exhibiting publicly for the first time.
The two galleries at One Off were packed wall-to-wall with a wide range of compelling pieces, each bearing the distinct thumbprint of its creator and lifting the viewer’s spirit with their youthful energy and vision.
Art enthusiasts view pieces from the ‘New Wave’ exhibition at One Off Contemporary Art Gallery on July 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Among the featured artists were Nadia Wanjiru, Nyo’lela Kabunde Ang’ango, Sachy Atieno, Patricia Githae, Harrison Karanja ‘Scopt’, Christine Karuma, Gavin Kendo, Eva Lamanda, Yusuf Mirumbe, Robert Mugambi, Cephas Mutua, Nzilani Mutua, Edwin Thuo, Chege Thuku, and Maori Wasike.
For art lovers, group exhibitions offer the joy of variety. From experimental installations to figurative work and sculptural pieces on canvas, the show was a celebration of diversity, defiance, and fresh perspectives.
What stood out most was the unfiltered originality as these canvases breathed with youthful vigour, carrying a maturity rarely seen in such a young cohort.
Patricia Githae’s haunting charcoal works tackle mental health themes, especially suicide and femicide, alltopics often sidestepped in public discourse. In Self Sabotage, a woman crouches, clutching herself in a tangled embrace. Knives, chains, and a smudged veil of white create an atmosphere of despair and fragility. “This is my story,” Patricia says. “I fit the part. It’s like casting for a role; the actor has to embody the character. I embody this piece.”
Her activism-infused art is deeply personal, with herself as muse and message.
Moses Chege poses by some of his art pieces during the ‘New Wave’ exhibition at One Off Contemporary Art Gallery on July 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
At just 19, Chege Thuku exudes teen energy and irreverence, both in person and on canvas. His playful, colourful murals reflect a cheeky curiosity and a flair for experimentation. His pieces explore how older generations compromise their dreams, delivered with a visual language that’s youthful, relatable, and disarmingly wise. His aesthetic, reminiscent of a more vibrant Elias Mungora, shows an instinct for mixing media without self-importance.
Robert Mugambi, 25, brings a quieter yet deeply emotional dimension to the exhibition. His series on reading captures subjects in various postures of engagement with books.
“It’s a celebration,” he says. “When you read, you enter another world. It can shift your entire rhythm.”
Mugambi masterfully conveys emotions; doubt, intrigue, and serenity, through subtle facial expressions. Books appear not just as props, but as portals to transformation.
Juogi II acrylic on canvas by Nyo’lela Kabunde, on display at One Off Contemporary Art Gallery as part of the ‘New Wave’ group exhibition on July 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Nyo’lela Kabunde continues his distinctive figurative style, echoing the minimalism and visual storytelling made popular by Michael Soi. Often sensual and introspective, Nyo’lela’s paintings offer subtle commentary through the presence—or absence—of objects. For him, painting is a form of self-expression: personal, stripped-down, and unapologetic.
Another standout was 22-year-old Nadia Wanjiru, whose imposing, obese figures fill bold red frames with unapologetic presence. Her work is multi-medium—charcoal, acrylic wash, screen print, pastel—showcasing both the restless experimentation of a newcomer and the precision of a seasoned hand. This phase, she says, is all about exploring limits.
Resilience II acrylic on canvas by Karuma Christine, on display at One Off Contemporary Art Gallery as part of the ‘New Wave’ group exhibition on July 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Christine Karuma’s abstract pieces demonstrate a powerful grasp of colour theory and composition. Her bold yet controlled approach suggests a maturity far beyond her years and hints at a promising future in contemporary art.
New Wave is more than an exhibition; it’s a glimpse into what the next chapter of Kenyan art might look like. For many of these artists, this show may serve as a first step into the global art conversation. But beyond talent, what will shape their legacy is the consistency of their practice.
By investing in young, untested voices, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery has made a bold and welcome move. New Wave is a testament to artistic courage, both from the artists and the curators who chose to back them. In a country teetering on the edge of change, this show captures the electric pulse of a new generation eager to speak, paint, and provoke.
