Uncurated Podcast

Happy New Year! I hope that you have allowed yourself to freely express and experience creativity during this first month of 2023.

On the podcast today, we have a special guest. Thaddeus Wamukoya, also known as Thadde Tewa, is the founder of TewasArt and Patrons, which is a dynamic online platform and art consultancy based in Nairobi, Kenya. Under TewasArt and Patrons, He runs an Online consultancy platform, Tewas Art Africa, and an online contemporary art Gallery called Tewas Art Gallery.

Have you ever wondered how artists are chosen to showcase their work in exhibitions? or how you can become an art collector? 

We discuss all these topics and so much more in today's episode including how TewasArt and Patrons came to be, the importance of connecting with who you are as an artist, and How to find the confidence to stay true to what your work stands for as a creative. 

I hope you enjoy and learn a thing or two that you can apply to your practice.

Keli.

*LINKS*

If you were to give one guess, how many art exhibitions do you think happened this year? In 2022, I have been to over 15 art exhibitions in various locations in Nairobi, Kenya and that isn't even half of them. I guess you can say being surrounded by art is becoming more of a lifestyle thing for me. One of my highlights was going to opening days and interacting with the artists. I enjoy learning about the process of how an art piece came to be from the artists themselves. On today's episode, which is the final episode of 2022 and season 1, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my experiences at art galleries this year. If you have been to any of the exhibitions mentioned, please let me know what your experience was in my DMs. Enjoy!

The uncurated community was started this year in February to create a space for visual artists and designers in Kenya to come and share their stories and inspire others. We managed to have 18 artists & designers come and graciously share their come-up stories with us. This was so amazing! Thank you to everyone who subscribed, listened, and gave me feedback. I am looking forward to growing the community in 2023. 

*Follow Uncutared podcast on IG*

Is it possible for our past life experiences to have the greatest influences on our current work? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? On the podcast today is Felix Owaga, a Kenyan designer and illustrator and he opens up about his childhood experiences and how it has impacted his work and work ethic. Make sure you really listen because you might learn something, i know i have. 

*Follow Felix on social media*  

Timothy Gichuru, well known as Bénir is a award winning digital artist and graphic designer that did not have a conventional path to success. It was not until he had changed his career for the second time and began posting his digital art online did he discover that graphic design was a plausible career. On today's episode, he talked about how he started his creative career, the impact that his mentors have on his career and some of the crazy requests he gets in his dms.

*Follow Bénir on Instagram & get inspired by his work.*

Is going to design school worth it? A question that has crossed every creative person's mind as well as instigated endless debates. On the podcast today is Brian Omolo, A Kenyan Illustrator, Designer and Educator who has a bachelor's degree in Illustration graphics and is now a lecture teaching Graphic design at Africa Digital Media Institute. So we can safely say he knows a thing or two about formal education in a creative field. Brian emphasizes the importance of being part of a community that challenges you and your creative work. Other topics discussed are; How to deal with clients and their expectations, How to be a better storyteller and How to make the best out of your learning experiences. 

*Follow Brian on Instagram & get inspired by his work.*

Did you know that artists and designers can work in the word of science, tech, and NGOs? I don't think we would have been able to anticipate the plethora of opportunities the creative industry has today. If you are curious to find out what it takes to have a sit at the table in industries deemed unconventional for a creative, then this episode is for you. 

Rogan Anjili is the founder of Bado Blak LLC, a multi-disciplinary artist and art director from Kenya that works with scientific research organizations with the aim of creatively  availing information to their audience. He talks about how he started his artistic journey, important decisions he had to make to get to where he is now as well as tips on how to approach these organizations with confidence in your creative abilities. Enjoy the episode and go to Rogan's socials to show some support for his work.

A lot of us attempted to be productive during the Covid lockdown however did the new skill you learned pay off? On the podcast today, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kenyan digital illustrator Wangui Kariuki on her creative career and how she took advantage of the time she had during lockdown. She talks about how consistency is her secret sauce and how she manages her life as a multipotentialite. Aside from being a digital illustrator, Wangui is an environmentalist, data analyst & a UI/UX designer. 

Reach out to Wangui and support her work.

Where do you go to find inspiration for your creative projects? Personally, I just open Pinterest but i must admit it is quite limited and it feels like the ideas aren't as original anymore. On the podcast today is Brian Kamau a Kenyan digital artist and we discuss interesting ways he has found inspiration from his surroundings. Enjoy!

Reach out to Brian and support his work

What is the relationship between self care and creative authenticity? If there is one thing we can all agree on is the fact that there is no point in being an artist or designer if you are not authentic to who you are and what you stand for. The question now arises, what does it mean to be authentic in your creative work? On the podcast today, we have Anne Gichuki a Kenyan visual artist and we discuss creative authenticity through the lens of self care. Enjoy

check out Anne on social media 

Mwambu Masakha is a Kenyan Visual Artist who identifies as an obsessive drawer. He simply can't help but draw every chance he gets. On todays episode, he takes us through his creative process of storytelling and explains in detail how he handles his 2D animation projects from start to finish. 

Reach out to Mwambu and support his work

Did you know that your personality can be captured in a drawing? Caricature Artist Louis Alosa talks all about his process and experiences doing live Caricature drawings and even how he handles rejection after completing a drawing. In my opinion, caricature art drawings are the perfect gift to give someone on a special occasion, just saying. 

When you want to have a Caricature drawing of yourself or of a loved one, contact Alosa; 

Email: alosa.louis@gmail.com 

Phone Number: +254 721 787390 

Becoming an Artist requires you to be resilient, patient and persistent. This is easer said than done however if there is one thing that will keep you going regardless of your experiences is believing in yourself. Martin Langat AKA Blaanga is a Kenyan Illustrator, Animator and an Extended reality enthusiast that has a very distinct art style and a really inspiring story of how he got to where he is today. On the podcast, he shares his experience working at a 9 to 5 during the height of the pandemic, how he sold his first NFT and how he has learned to manage his mental health.

Say hi to Blaanga on his socials and support his work.

What does it take to become a game designer? On today's episode, Echaminya Mbarani, who is a Kenyan Game designer and 3D character designer talks about his experiences and how he became a successful game designer. 

Lynn Atieno is a talented Kenyan Illustrator and winner of Sondeka East Africa Digital Artist Award 2021. In the interview, she talks all about where she gets her artistic inspiration, the importance of having a strong social media game for your NFTs business and her favorite digital art projects.

As an artist or designer, you are also a storyteller and your skills can also be used to make an impact in your community. On today's episode, Njung'e Wanjiru, a Kenyan Art Director, Illustrator & Animator, talks about how he uses his creative skills to advocate for social change. He also shares his story of how he started out as an artist, what inspires his work and how manages his mental health during uncertain times.

Have you ever wondered what is 3D art? On today's interview, Kennedy Mutua, mostly known as DLL, shares how he became a 3D artist and how his skills in videography and photography influences his creative process. We also dive into the very hot topic of NFTs and how useful they are when it comes to authentication.

Allan Simba, a Kenyan artist with a very distinct style talks about his journey of self discovery, inspiration behind his work & what goes down in his DMs 😉. Grab a notebook and get comfortable because this interview if full of gems. 

Hey guy, todays interview is with a very talented graffiti artist called Mr. Detail Seven. He talks about how he started, his list of mentors and how he would like to take graffiti art mainstream. Questions like how he makes money as a graffiti artist, bringing graffiti art into offices and cooperate spaces are all answered by Mr. Detail.  

Mr. Detail Seven has incredible merchandise that you should check out. 

Links bellow:

I know some of you are wondering, what is caricature? Today's interview is a talented Kenyan caricature artist who thrives at live drawing at events. He gives us some of his secrets on how he brings joy to his clients while staying calm and collected at events and parties. 

To get in touch with him, his email and socials are linked down below.  Email: allanjuma01@gmail.com 

Who said we have to pick one career path to follow for the rest of our lives? Dylan is a Kenyan creative consultant, 2D & 3D animator, digital artist, comedian and so much more. I found his artistic style every interesting and distinct. In the interview, he talks about how he got into design and how he develops his style.