Njeri the Great w/ artist Njeri Kinuthia
The 2024 Florida Prize exhibition at the Orland Museum of Art introduced your boy, JBarber, to 10 fantastic artists in the state of Florida. We got the People’s Choice Award winner from that show, Njeri Kinuthia, on the Noize today. Her work is centered around her experiences growing up in Kenya and the ways she wrestles with culture, religion and social norms. Njeri talks about her love of drawing, her complex relationship with religion, and the ways her art helps her build a sense of self. We go through the details of some of Njeri’s amazing work in the show including Njeri the Great, Nyumba, and Smothered II. Plus some stories about Njeri being a pastor and throwing shade with fabrics. Listen, subscribe, and share!
Episode 188 topics include:
coming to New York from Kenya
finding freedom in the clothing
wrestling with cultural norms in art
the importance of drawing
female oppression
2024 Florida Prize
Njeri Kinuthia, 2024 Florida Prize People’s Choice Award winner
Njeri Kinuthia bio:
Njeri Kinuthia was born and raised in Kenya. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from Machakos University, Kenya. Njeri moved to the U.S. in 2021 to pursue her MFA at the University of Central Florida, funded by the Provost's Fellowship Award. Her artistic merit has been recognized with awards, including the 2024 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art People’s Choice Award, the 2024 University of Central Florida Outstanding Graduate Creative Research, the 2023 Éclat Law Prize, the 2023 United Arts Public Art Award, the 2023 Innovation in Arts Award, among others. Njeri has exhibited her work in various shows and galleries, including the ongoing Florida Prize at the Orlando Museum of Art, and a solo exhibition at Snap! Gallery in Orlando. She has also showcased her art in international settings, including Norway. Njeri is also an Art Educator teaching at the University of Central Florida. Her work explores themes of self-reflection, feminism, and the suppression of women perpetuated by cultural and societal norms. Njeri has also shared her insights through artist talks and interviews, further contributing to the discourse on the role of art in society.
See more: Njeri Kinuthia website + Njeri Kinuthia’s IG @njeri_artistar
Jamaal Barber: @JBarberStudio
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