Wangari Mathenge’s Vibrant Paintings Tap into Kenya’s Paradigm Shift in the 1960s
Mathenge, who was born in Nairobi, looks to the not-so-distant past in a series of paintings called 'Re-membering.' Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Wangari Mathenge’s Vibrant Paintings Tap into Kenya’s Paradigm Shift in the 1960s appeared first on Colossal .
In 1963, just seven decades after Britain's colonial rule, Kenya secured its independence. A wave of African nations followed suit during the 1960s, marking a transformative period of democracy and cultural evolution across the continent. Wangari Mathenge, a Nairobi-born artist, draws inspiration from this recent history in her series of vibrant oil paintings, currently on view in her solo exhibition "Re-membering" at Lévy Gorvy Dayan in New York.
Several works in the exhibition, such as "Re-membering XII (The Wednesday Women's Club)" (2026) and "Re-membering XI (To Leave This Steady Unendurable Land)" (2026), explore Mathenge's personal connection to Kenya during the early 20th century.
The political legacy of colonialism and its impact on societies across Africa is a central theme in Mathenge's art. Her paintings feature herself as various women engaging in domestic activities, surrounded by objects like toys, books, maps, and occasionally surreal elements such as the green ladder in "Re-membering XI (To Leave This Steady Unendurable Land)." These figures manipulate the objects around them, symbolizing a blending of healing and disarray.
Some of Mathenge's portraits engage the viewer with direct eye contact, creating an almost confrontational atmosphere, while others appear relaxed amidst a collection of items. This dynamic tension in her compositions reflects the complex interplay between cultural memory, inherited traditions, and shifting perspectives. Mathenge explains that "Re-membering" encompasses more than mere recall; it signifies the active gathering and reassembling of fragmented elements, including cultural memory, inherited forms, and historical narratives.
The current exhibition will remain on display at Lévy Gorvy Dayan through October 24, providing a unique glimpse into the artistic vision of Wangari Mathenge and her reflections on Kenya's journey from colonial past to present.
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