Nedia Were
Born and raised in Kenya, self taught artist Nedia Were is based in Nairobi city. His deep desire to create started during his childhood, when he would copy cartoons from newspapers, magazines and comic books while recreated them in his own likeness and image. Were is the first prize award winner of the Manjano Art Competition and he has participated in a number of exhibitions both local and international. Were’s artwork is a visual response to the discourse surrounding representation of African figures within the Visual Art realm especially within art learning institutions and Art History. The artist interrogates traditional notions of beauty. The artist challenges western ideas of modern beauty within the canon of painting, with a specific focus on figurative paintings and portraiture. The human figure is a recurring motif in his Were’s work so as to reflect on beauty, taste, politics and the society.