Two generations of Kenyan artists, Joseph Mbatia Bertiers and Newton Eshivachi, team together to document the condition of Kenyan society in their view in an exhibition titled Cross Perspectives on Kenyan Society. Curated by Charles Courdent, the exhibition that opened at Alliance Française Nairobi on Tuesday runs until August 31.
The two artists conveyed the title of the exhibition through contrasting lenses. Veteran artist Bertiers imparts his famous satirical and humorous element that speaks of Kenya’s post-colonial history with six large paintings and four life-size sculptures.
Emerging artist Eshivachi gave an introspective through a contemporary view as he delved into diverse issues affecting the youth with 15 medium-sized paintings and two large paintings. He represented the social, cultural and political struggles of the Kenyan youths.
His artistic style incorporates literary devices like forming characters, settings, themes, and storylines. He visits locations that he wants to paint about and takes a pictorial composition to add to his research.
In visually articulating the theme of identity quests, Eshivachi predominantly uses prison costumes in his subjects to depict that complete freedom is a farce, as human beings are slightly imprisoned culturally, socially, economically, and politically.
The idea for this exhibition came about in December last year when he participated in a group exhibition, Emerging Echoes, at the same venue. Courdent, who termed his works moving, linked him with veteran painter and sculptor Bertiers for this duo exhibition.
“He thought what I’m doing is quite similar to what Bertiers is doing,” Eshivachi says.
With Courdent, the Uweza Art Gallery member met with Bertiers in his studio for the possibility of a collaboration, and he learnt new ways to add to his art.
“Initially my art was only images, but Bertiers told me that the role of art is to add my voice about the social ills. I started infusing texts – word plays and puns – and it has helped me in passing my messages across for stronger pieces of work,” he says.
Eshivachi credited Bertiers for helping him to come up with a solid exhibition which was inspired by his work.
“This is the first time I have included texts in my work,” he says.
One of the titles is County Government of Nairobi to show the tendencies of some public servants.
Eshivachi also distinguishes the documented policies, like human rights, from what actually happens on the ground. Bonyeza 254 art piece shows the struggles of the Kenyan youths in repaying government loans. He further states that they give up part of their freedoms to access government services. Other themes in his body of work include gender inequality, misogyny, religious hypocrisy, and shadow economies like gambling.
Previously, Eshivachi has taken part in exhibitions, Pawa254’s Maandamano in 2024 and the British Council’s Wasanii wa Mtaani in 2023. The editorial cartoonist has had his works displayed at Amnesty Kenya and Mageuzi Hub.