On Friday the 27th, The Village Creative in Lavington did not just host an event. It transformed into a world.
The kind you walk into and immediately feel the need to slow down, take it in, and be present.
Dubbed A Taste of Expression, the evening unfolded in soft lighting, warm energy, and a crowd that leaned into effortless elegance. Flowing dresses, tailored silhouettes, quiet luxury in every detail.
Lining the space were striking works by Kevo Abbra, pieces so layered and textured they almost felt alive.
At first glance, many guests assumed they were paintings. They were not. These were meticulously constructed photographic compositions, built through costume, styling, and narrative depth. Each frame told a story, drawing from African heritage while pushing boldly into Afrofuturism.
Drawing from Turkana, Abbra unveiled a continuation of his exploration into identity, ancestry, and imagination. Often referred to as the cradle of mankind, Turkana formed the point of origin, contrasted with the coastal richness of Lamu to create a visual dialogue between origin and evolution.
“I wanted people to really understand their roots,” he said. “Our power lies in our beauty, our aesthetics. We need to embrace that.”
Across the room, his intention was clear. This was art that sought to define, not just decorate.
Afro The Phonist stepped in with his saxophone, weaving Kenyan hits through the space, the music blending seamlessly with the visual narrative.
And just when the night felt fully layered, the food arrived.
To understand the menu, you have to go back to where it began.
“We met right here,” Chef Kim Kiare said, reflecting on his first encounter with Kevo. Introduced through a curator, he had walked in with no expectations.
“I didn’t know what the art was about,” he said. “But when I saw Kevo’s work, it gave me goosebumps.”
That moment became the foundation for everything that followed.
Chef Kim translated Kevo’s art into flavour. Inspired by the stories of Turkana and Lamu embedded in the work, he built a menu that mirrored those narratives.
“I had to conceptualise that and bring it into the food perspective,” he explained.
At the centre of the culinary experience were local dishes, including tilapia and camel, chosen less for taste and more for what they represented.
“Food is a form of storytelling,” Chef Kim said. “Food is culture, food is our history.”
Ethiopian berbere brought warmth and depth. Arab spice blends added complexity. Coconut and madafu wove in coastal softness.
But for Chef Kim, it always comes back to one thing.
“For me, it’s about flavour,” he said. “Flavour that lingers. Flavour that makes you pause mid-conversation. Flavour that stays with you long after the night ends.”
Kevo’s work challenged him creatively, pushing him beyond his usual boundaries. In return, the food gave the art another dimension, something you could taste, not just see.
Kevo described the process as layered and intentional. After a five-year hiatus spent refining his craft, this body of work is deeply personal.
His research-led journey into Turkana and Lamu shaped the foundation of the pieces, allowing him to explore themes of ancestry, identity, and contrast.
“I wanted to showcase something that touches on our heritage, our ancestors,” he said.
It is this depth that defines his work and his career.
A Kenyan-born stylist, costume designer, and visual artist, Kevo Abbra has built a name that stretches far beyond borders.
His work has been exhibited internationally and featured on major global platforms, including Marvel’s Black Panther, Oprah Winfrey Network’s Queen Sugar, Nike, Absolut Vodka, and Universal Music Group.
Yet despite the global recognition, his message remains grounded: tell African stories, authentically and unapologetically.
Woven into the night was one final indulgence, Singleton 18. Smooth, rich, quietly luxurious, it complemented every layer of the experience.
By the end of the evening, guests were left with a full-circle experience, a seamless fusion of food, art, and culture.
Photos: Courtesy