Kenyan sculptor Elkana Ongisa elevates African art and frees it from prejudice
Although Elkana Ongisa’s huge stone sculptures are displayed around the world, this 79-year-old Kenyan sculptor believes that African art has not yet received the appreciation it deserves, whether abroad or on the continent.
When he said that “African art greatly influenced Western art,” pointing, for example, to the works of Pablo Picasso; In an interview with Agence France-Presse at his home in Tabaka (Kisi District) in western Kenya, he pointed out that “African art has been neglected.”
His works inspired by nature traveled around the world, and in particular decorated the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris and the United Nations in New York.
Ongisa believes that African art does not receive the appreciation it deserves (AFP)
But he still has a long way to go to reach the “very high” financial value of Western artworks, he says, denouncing the fact that art collectors – African and foreign – are not willing to spend large sums of money for works originating from the continent.
He believed that the authorities were no longer performing their role properly, adding: “The Kenyan government does not adequately support artists,” speaking of a catastrophic failure in 2014 that prevented his works from being displayed at the Smithsonian Folklore Festival in Washington.
Ongisa had created a huge granite sculpture in the shape of an elephant for this prestigious event. One buyer even offered 1.2 billion Kenyan shillings (about $7.7 million). However, it is unfortunate that the Kenyan authorities who insisted on transporting the 13-ton elephant – rejecting offers of foreign assistance – eventually announced that its huge weight prevented it from being transported by plane, while media reported that the authorities demanded bribes in exchange for transporting the piece of art.
Elkana Ongissa’s sculptures are displayed around the world (AFP)
Elkana Ongisa responded briefly, without commenting on these media reports, saying that “some people within the Kenyan government who were supposed to provide assistance ultimately refused to do so.”
He added that if the sale had been completed, it would have constituted a record for an African artwork, and “African art would have become in a different category today.”
Born into a family of artisans, Ongisa began making clay toys at an early age, before learning to carve small animals from leftover stones.
He then continued his studies at Makerere University in neighboring Uganda, and then at McGill University in Canada. There, he discovered artists who influenced his work with sculptures that, according to him, revealed more “artistic expression than literalism,” all the way to the famous British Henry Moore’s use of negative space. He added: “It was a very important turning point for me.”
The African imprint is still visible on his creations. Casey stone, his favorite material, is found only in western Kenya, unlike soapstone, a more common rock often incorrectly associated with his work.
His work generally refers to symbols emerging from African myths and songs. The giant granite statue that adorns the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, “Enyamuchera” (“Bird of Peace” in the Kisii language), takes its origin from a black and white bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. It can be a harbinger of good luck or bad luck, depending on the angle from which it is viewed.
The grandfather of five grandchildren picked up his tools again (AFP)
The artist intends to create work that resonates at home and abroad. His sculptures are displayed on the streets of Kisii, in his garden where he trains young artists and children in stone carving, and in the museum he built to host workshops and display African art.
His health problems have forced him to stop working for the past seven years, but the grandfather of five recently picked up his tools again and said, “I want to practice my art.”
He has started making smaller sculptures again, but the larger pieces cause him physical problems, he said, because he is unable to remain standing for long periods.
He continued: “I hope and pray that my health will improve,” adding: “When you carve a stone and see what is inside it, it is very beautiful.” “This is really fun.”
