Njuguna peels back every day life layers

For the past month, the Banana Hill Art Gallery has been showcasing the works of Stephen Njuguna, a skilled impressionist with an intricate grasp of shadows and colour.

Titled Observations III, this exhibition draws from his travels across diverse landscapes, from Ethiopia to the Kenyan coast, with a particular focus on the sprawling tea fields of Tigoni in Limuru, Kiambu.

His latest pieces, vibrant acrylics, encapsulate these varied scenes with a touch that is distinctly Njuguna.

Njuguna’s journey in art began early—at 14, he sold his first painting for Sh7,000, and today, his pieces command upwards of Sh700,000. This evolution reflects his growth, not just in skill but in his approach to life.

As a self-taught artist, he joined the Banana Hill studio right after high school, diving into painting full-time. Since then, he’s exhibited every few years, calling these shows Observations, as they mirror his fascination with ordinary lives, subtly brought to life on canvas.

Njuguna describes his work as “silent commentaries on people in their normal ways of life,” with his inspiration rooted in the small details that most overlook.

“As I walk around, I notice how people are all caught up in routines, yet, to me, there’s beauty in their ordinary movements,” says the 2019 finalist in the Asian art fair in Taiwan.

He translates these observations into mental sketches that later emerge as portraits, each layered with light, shadow, and colour.

The pieces on display in Observations III are drawn from various collections, including a series of tea farm landscapes from Tigoni, created over months of on-site sketches.

His fascination with coastal life also shines through, with scenes inspired by his travels to Kenya’s Coastal region. They depict madafu sellers and men and women in kanzus all done with the warm lull of coastal colours and Ethiopia, where he attended an art symposium.

“Some of my best-loved paintings capture boat life and street vendors, brought to life with the warmth of coastal hues,” Njuguna notes.

As a prolific painter, Njuguna’s style has evolved continuously.

“In my early works, I didn’t use much colour; they were plain yet sold well. But over time, you realise that style builds by pushing boundaries.”

He believes that progress in art comes from experimentation rather than sticking to a formula.

“Art is about stepping out of the usual,” he explains. “You can’t be an artist and remain conservative. Each new series should push you further.”

One notable feature of Njuguna’s work is his unique layering technique.

“My paintings are built up in textures,” he says. “Each layer of colour and subject doesn’t reveal itself right away but grows over time. This build-up is part of my evolving style and signature.”

His approach is more about layering stories than achieving immediate visual impact, allowing each piece to unfold in richness over time.

This year’s exhibit also marks a shift in Njuguna’s focus, as he delves into more socially driven themes. His latest piece explores Gen Z’s involvement in maandamano protests, a theme he hopes to expand in future works.

This piece, he says, is part of a social commentary series he’s planning, using art as a lens to explore contemporary issues in Kenya.

“Art is a fusion of imagination and creativity,” Njuguna reflects. “It doesn’t always have to align with reality; it can exist in dreamscapes where creativity takes precedence.”

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