Mwas Githinji, Kenya

| BEASTS and PETALS|

| Mwass Githinji - Kenya |

9th March to 22nd April 2025

About the Exhibition

‘Beasts and Petals’ is an exploration of human duality—where life’s weightiest struggles collide with its quiet, often unnoticed joys. Through a compelling blend of raw and tender artistry, this solo exhibition delves into the heavy, sometimes beastly realities that confront us daily, from pain and loss to inner turmoil.

Yet, nestled within these shadows lies the delicate beauty of life’s fleeting moments—a baby’s laughter, the gentle flutter of a butterfly, or the resilience of a blooming flower. Beasts and Petals invites viewers to reflect on this fragile balance, celebrating the profound harmony between despair and hope, chaos and grace, the beastly and the beautiful.

Artist Statement

Born Benard Mwangi Githinji, in 1995, I grew up in a village nearby Nakuru, where mythical fireside stories, old newspapers, dog-eared storybooks, and a boundless imagination were my gateways to adventure. The chalkboard became my first canvas—a vast, dark surface where I could let my imagination run wild. Those early moments of creation, with nothing but chalk and a boundless mind, continue to influence my artistic approach today.

My art is rooted in a rich tapestry of African stories, world philosophies, and the influence of great artists from the past and present. It is a mirror to the complexities of the human spirit, unearthing the emotions we suppress and the untamed thoughts we dare not speak aloud. Vulnerability is at the heart of my work—exploring the fragility of our inner child and exposing the raw, unfiltered state of being. My canvases are fragments of us all, meant to be hung, observed, and discussed—whether in whispers or critical tones.

Through a fusion of human anatomy, expressive lines, and fluid curves, my paintings delve into the essence of the human experience. A defining feature of my work is the use of pastels, where each deliberate stroke and burst of colour carves light out of darkness.