Paa ya paa unveils African art & heritage
Following a successful black history month exhibition themed “Celebrating daughters of Africa held last year, Paa ya paa has just officially launched this year's exhibition themed “The Arts and African Heritage”, inviting all to celebrate African culture and art.
While Africa now celebrates black history with America in this event, the renovated art center has become active in hosting events like that of black history month in recent years themed "A walk through Black History" with this one officially launched on 16 February 2013.
The center as the oldest African oriented art center and gallery in Nairobi established in the early 60s yet went up in flames in 1997. But part of it was preserved, making it a well respected artistic haven. For this black history celebration, visitors and artists not only exhibited their works for February’s exhibition, but participated in discussions on African arts and heritage.
In 1963, the center first began as Elimo’s art studio in Nairobi’s city centre and then born as Paa ya Paa meaning “the antelope rises” in Swahili in 1965 with the help of artists, writers, art patrons, a lawyer, publisher, cartoonist and a journalist. In the quiet, leafy Ridgeway’s suburb where it still lies today, it blossomed, attracting more renowned local and international artists and writers.
The tragedy of a fire that burned down the gallery in 1997 did not deter its artistic impact of visitors flocking the gallery with some making contributions, bringing their art works and participating in discussions in events such as the black history month.
In this year's opening ceremony, renowned John Sibi Okumu, moderated a lively debate on Africa's history, art cultural heritage. Many heard that there is a huge disparity in the value of art in Africa compared to the west, of which according to the panelists, if we embraced ourselves and culture and accept our heritage.
Is our African history on our heritage adequate? He paused a question to the audience consisting of mostly by young university students, diplomats, teachers, lecturers, ordinary onlookers as kids strolled around the vicinity.
With a number dissatisfied with African history not adequately represented coupled many challenges arising such insufficient factual information on history, high costs of education to mention a few, it was concluded that Africa would be “right up there”, challenging the East and West, if we could sit, talk, reason peacefully on how to utilise resources, as we treat each other as equals.
The event was concluded with colourful performances by local and international artistes such as Boma tunes band formed by UNISEF and Education Ministry National Youth Talent academy, singing songs themed on peace.
Nevertheless, if you missed the opening black history exhibition on Saturday, February 16 2012, the exhibition is free of charge, still celebrating iconic role models of Africa and the diaspora till March 2nd 2013 from 10am to 5pm daily.
Elimo or Philda Njau can be visited at the center any day and perhaps received with a cup of sweetened herbal tea or uji at the Ridgeways Rd, off Kiambu Road. For details, call 0733270109 or email info@paayapaa.org.
what we do
we provide artists opportunities to work within the arts community as a way of building up the visual culture of the contemporary East African art scene and forming a basis of reference for international interactions and opportunities in alternative environments. Paa ya paa provides support and resources to artists to make the great art of our day