Untitled Digital Print 650mm x 480mm

Artist Statement:

Peterson Kamwathi (Artist)

Peterson Kamwathi started practicing art at the Kuona Trust Museum Art Studio where he was exposed to different techniques,including print-making. Since late 2002 he has been involved primarily in printmaking, especially monotype and woodcut relief techniques. His work since then has been mainly a representation on his perception of the social-political environment and attitude in Kenya. His recent work though has been mainly drawings in charcoal and pastel. Kamwathi has had three solo exhibitions to date and his work has been exhibited in Kenya, the UK, the USA, Holland and Denmark. He has participated in the Fontys Academie Kenya-Holland Exchange in 2003, the Kenya Artists in Residence Programat the University of Kentucky in 2005, printmaking-making residencies at the London Print Studio and Bath Spa University College in 2006, Thupelo international artist 2006 workshop in Rorkes Drift South Africa and the Wasanii International Artists Workshop 2004,2006 and 2008. He currently lives and works in Nairobi.

Poem by Shailja Patel

Shailja Patel (Poet)

What We Want

a place to cook
a place to cook and sleep
a place to cook and sleep and shit
a place to cook and sleep and shit and wash
a place to cook and sleep and shit and wash and love
a place to cook and sleep and shit and wash and love and study
a place to cook and sleep and shit and wash and love and study and dream
this place
to be there when we return at twilight
this place
to be there when my children are sick
this place to have air we can breathe without choking
water we can drink without retching
walls that do not shed fleas
soil
soil to grow food in
neighbors
neighbors to eat and dance with
a wall
a hook in the wall
a wall that will hold a hook I can hang clothes on
a place for books
a place for books and our dreams and our love
a place to put down our hearts

Isizulu Translation by Rosethal Lolie Makhubu
Esikufunayo

indawo yokuphekaindawo yokupheka nokulalaindawo yokupheka nokulala nokunyaindawo yokupheka nokulala nokunya nokugezaindawo yokupheka nokulala nokunya nokugeza nokuthandaindawo yokupheka nokulala nokunya nokugeza nokuthanda nokufundaindawo yokupheka nokulala nokunya nokugeza nokuthanda nokufunda nokuphupha le ndawoukuba ibe ikhona  uma sibuya sekuhlwilele ndawoukuba ibe ikhona uma izingane zami zigulale ndawoukuba kube khona umoya esingawuphefumula ngaphandle kokuhilekaamanzi esingawaphuza ngaphandle kokugonyulukaizindonga ezingakhiphi mazeze inhlabathiinhlabathi yokutshala ukudlaomakhelwaneomakhelwane ukuba sidle sidanse nabo udongaihuku odongeniudonga olungabamba ihuku engingahenga kulo okokwembathaindawo yezincwadi namaphupho nothandoindawo yokubeka phansi izinhliziyo zethu

Peterson Kamwathi (Artist) and Shailja Patel (Poet) representing Kenya in the Art For Humanity “Dialogue Among Civilizations” Print Portfolio 2010.