The Wajukuu Art Project’s exhibition In the Absence in Nairobi offers a striking reflection of Kenya’s younger generation, using installations that merge everyday objects with deep symbolism. Visitors encounter suspended lanterns, razor-sharp knives on rusty iron sheets, draped fabrics, and poems stencilled on walls, creating an immersive space for self-reflection. Curator Rose Jepkorir describes the exhibition as a parallel universe, encouraging visitors to contemplate their inner selves while engaging with the environment. The works amplify the voices of marginalized communities and highlight pressing issues such as capitalism, climate change, and the frustrations of young Kenyans demanding accountability from their leaders.
Central to the exhibition is the work of Shabu Mwangi, a self-taught artist whose installations employ familiar materials such as koroboi kerosene lanterns and nylon threads. The unlit lanterns symbolize both the light of individualism and the environmental harm caused by fossil fuels, while the threads—woven collaboratively with local women—represent Kenya’s complex entanglement with global financial institutions. Another artist, Ngugi Waweru, uses rusty knives and discarded iron to explore the cyclical harm humanity inflicts on itself and the environment, illustrating the Kikuyu proverb, A sharp knife cuts the owner. Each piece carries layers of meaning, linking personal experience to national and global narratives.
In the Absence resonates with the activism and introspection of Gen Z, connecting art to social and political reflection. The exhibition integrates sound, mirrors, and interactive elements, inviting visitors to engage fully and consider their place within societal structures. It asks profound questions about freedom, justice, and the legacy of colonialism, offering a platform for both critique and hope. By weaving together local materials, collective artistic practices, and symbolic storytelling, Wajukuu presents contemporary Kenyan art as a tool for dialogue and empowerment. The exhibition runs until 14 September before traveling to London, offering audiences a rare opportunity to explore Kenya’s evolving cultural and generational landscape through powerful visual narratives.