Mombasa Streets Arts 001- Covid-19 Awareness Edition

Art is one of the greatest ways to send a message, art is a voice for the voiceless. Through various art channels such as music, painting, poetry, photography and etc., you can convey a message, tell a story and create a voice. The message can be interpreted by anyone and used to sensitize people. During this period of Covid-19 pandemic, many artists have used their talents to sensitize people about the precautionary measures that have been set by WHO. Through photography, graphics, videos, music and etc., artist are creating exceptional pieces to express the effects of the pandemic and how to mitigate the spread of the Corona Virus.

In Mombasa, a group of Street Art artists joined hands to create exceptional art during the Covid-19 global pandemic in support of County Government of Mombasa, Tourism unit from the Department of Trade, Tourism & Investment. The art visuals were designed to create awareness on precautionary measures, celebrate leadership and thank health officials for their dedication. The graffiti art was done at Buxton Housings, Coast Provincial General hospital wall and Star of the Sea School wall. The artist worked tirelessly to produce the work, each person contributing a skill and talent to complete the graffiti art.

Artist Profiles:

Teddy Tunje

ARTIST NAME: Shakes16

AGE: 28 Years.

AREA FROM: Kisauni Barsheba, Mombasa.

HOW DID YOU START YOUR ART JOURNEY?

I started drawing as a kid, he would draw on walls using charcoal. After high School he furthered his talent by joining the technical University of Mombasa where he studied a Diploma in Graphic Design and Fine Art.

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER PROJECTS?

Yes, below are some of the projects he has done;

• Transparent International
• Action Aid
• Hivos
• Dream Achievers youth organization
• Lengo
• Dankies Art Design
• Mombasa Rock Festival [Mombasa County]

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

Teddy draws his Inspiration from different Artists both locally and internationally. He went ahead and mentioned a few of the Artists.

Locally- From his Father who was also an Artist

• Uhuru B 
• Bank slaves
• Dankies Art and many others

Internationally –

• Does from Netherlands
• Mad see From Germany
• Tona 1 of Ghetto Pimps from Germany
• Ewalk from USA and many others.

YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS COVID-19 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN?

According to Teddy this project brought him Positive vibes because he was doing and using his talents to give back to the Public by creating awareness of the Virus through Art. Sharing his experience and his Art with the world has been a marvelous experience and the positive feedback they have been getting from the society has been so overwhelming to him.

Last but not least working on such a project with County Government of Mombasa Tourism Unit was a dream come true and he hopes to work on many other projects in the future.

CONTACT DETAILS

• Facebook – Shakes Graffiti
• Instagram –Shakes Graffiti
• Email Address – teddyshakes16@gmail.com
• Mobile Number – 0711869772

Tito Onodera

ARTIST NAME: G.T.

AGE: 43

AREA FROM: Bamburi Vescon Estate, Mombasa.

HOW DID YOU START YOUR JOURNEY?

According to Tito he was born with the pencil. He started drawing as a kid and he was always in trouble for messing his exercise books. After High School he studied at Creative Arts Nairobi where he acquired a Certificate of Arts. He was further Motivated by his wife who shared same interest in Arts and Graffiti.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS ART?

Tito has done a couple of Murals in different shops in the Old town area. He is Diverse he also does T-shirts Arts. He designs and Crafts scriptures from Recycle products.

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER PROJECTS?

Tito has done a couple of projects as mentioned below;

• Aga Khan Academy (On street Kids Project)
• Vipingo Ridge (Private Residential)
• Nyali 10th Street behind Shoprite

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

Tito draws his Inspiration from different Artist both locally and internationally as mentioned;

Locally-

• His late father
• Anne Gashoki (his wife who is also an Artist)
• Patrick Mukabi (his Mentor)

International – Michael Angelou, Leonard Davinci and many others.

YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS COVID-19 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN?

It was an awesome Experience and the Positive Feedback they have been getting from the Public for their Art by creating Covid-19 awareness has been so fulfilling.

Also he was happy and Grateful for working with the different young Talents and he hopes that this project will Inspire many young and Upcoming Artists to do their best and use their Talents  to give back to the society.

CONTACT DETAILS

• Social Media: Facebook –Tito Onodera
•  Mobile Number: 0722754901

 Shee Ahmed Shee

ARTIST NAME: Shizemonize

AGE: 30

AREA FROM:  Mombasa – Original Rasini/faza

HOW DID YOU START YOUR ART JOURNEY?

I started from class four, I worked on doing artistic products with milk cartons, containers and continued learning more. I always looked for ways to teach myself and improve my talent.

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER PROJECTS?

Since I was 18, I would work on artistic projects. I would find small jobs and work on them.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

No one specific, but I draw inspirations from different people.

YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS COVID-19 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN?

The experience opened my mind. I was able to think in complex way and gave me great experience.

CONTACT DETAILS

• Facebook – shee hamad
• Instagram – sheehamad6
• Mobile Number – 0703319493

Mchulla Omar Mchulla

ARTIST NAME: Mchulla Arts

AGE:38

AREA FROM: Mombasa-Pate Island

HOW DID YOU START YOUR ART JOURNEY?

Since I was young (1995) I would create art on books and cloths using my artistic talent. I started earning in 20001 from my art. Throughout my journey I would teach myself artistic designs and other skills so I can earn from it.

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER PROJECTS?

I worked on an awareness campaign against drugs in Lamu, we were commissioned to raise awareness against drugs through art. In addition, I have worked on car details, shops, boutiques and house design décor.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I draw my inspiration from Kantu from Germany, his graffiti work inspires me to work harder and to think outside the box. It motivates me.

YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS COVID-19 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN?

I appreciate the idea and the opportunity to work with a team, in addition it opened my mind on my artistic talent. It helped me overcome some fears I had, I am usually scared to draw bigger design but this made me overcome my fear and I had the courage to go up and design.

CONTACT DETAILS

• Facebook – Mchulla momlee
• Instagram –  Mchulla Arts
• Email Address – Momleearts@gmail.com
• Mobile Number – 0723339012

Mohamed Sudi

ARTIST NAME: Moha

AGE:27

AREA FROM: Barsheba

HOW DID YOU START YOUR ART JOURNEY?

I started in school, I will draw and then I went ahead to volunteer at Kisauni polytechnic. After that, I took a course in painting and then I continued to teach myself artistic designs. I used my art to create different designs from the course experience.

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER PROJECTS?

Since 2015, I have been designing. I have worked with many other organizations to create awareness for different causes including in Mombasa county and Kwale county. I have worked with:

• Transparent International
• Action Aid
• Hivos
• Dream Achievers youth organization
• Lengo
• Dankies Art Design
• •Mombasa Rock Festival [Mombasa County]

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I get inspired when I see other people working, their progress on projects that builds community. When I see determination from others, I get motivated to work harder and get inspired to create art that will assist the community.

YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS COVID-19 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN?

This experience gave me confidence. I experienced a different project that pushed me to the limit, for example I have never done a huge wall and this was my first experience. In addition, I got to work with different people to form a team which showed team work and resilience.

CONTACT DETAILS

• Facebook – Moha freeman
• Instagram – moha_freeman
• Email Address – sudimohamed70@gmail.com
• Mobile Number – 0726968985

Arnold Mgharo

Artist Name: Nuru bahati

Age: 37

Area from: Mombasa | Ganjoni

How did you start your art journey?

I was inspired by comic strips in the newspaper dailies and watching cartoons then in the Year 1990-1997 School Sacred heart Primary school in Mombasa I took Art and Craft as a subject, in high school I Studied

Art and Design Year1998-2001 Sacred heart Secondary school in Mombasa. I later enrolled in college B.I.F.A Buru Buru Institute of Fine in Nairobi at Buru Buru phrase 3 Studied Drawing and Painting Diploma Year 2003-2005. Further persuade graphic design in Area Graphics College in Nairobi Studied Graphic Design Software’s Certificate Year 2012.

How long have you been doing this art?

I’ve been going art since 2005 professionally

Do you have experience from other projects?

Yes, I’ve experience from other projects like W.A.P.I words and pictures art from that was held in Nairobi every third Saturday of the month from 9am-5pm. And Paa Ya Paa art gallery in Nairobi, Ridgways off kiambu road.

Who inspires you?

God inspires me and any artist who puts more than 10,000 hours in their craft.

Your experience in this Covid-19 Awareness campaign?

My experience in the this Covid-19 Awareness campaign is that art is a spiritual voice to humanity that uplifts the people and love speaks life to everyone.

Contact Details

• Facebook –  Nuru bahati
• Instagram – Nuru bahati
• Twitter– Nuru bahati
• Email Address – Nurubahati@gmail.com
• Mobile Number –+254 721 267 239

Final Project in Pictures

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