When art pays the bills

By HAPPY NGUGI

Passing through a winding, narrow wooden staircase at the Lonrho House along Standard Street in Nairobi, I am led to a glossy, wooden mezzanine floor, brightly lit by wide windows that keep out noise from the streets below. Wooden sculptures and wall paintings of all sizes usher one inside to more paintings stacked against each other on the floor, walls and metal rungs.

It is here at the Gallery Watatu, where leading Western artists based in Kenya such as Jeanne Anderson and Timothy Brooke exhibit their artworks.

"Watatu remains the centre of African art," says Brooke at the gallery.

Despite the gallery’s inscribed glass door on the ground floor leading to the pavement, most urbanites go about their errands daily, oblivious of its existence. They have no idea that there in are art pieces that are worth millions of shillings. Therein too, is a rich history — of artists who came from scratch to claim their place in the art world.

Upcoming artists

Gallery Watatu, which derives its name from the Kiswahili word watatu meaning ‘three people’, was established in 1968 by three upcoming artists. They borrowed the word ‘watatu’ to refer to the trio.

In general, the majority of Kenyans don’t attach much value to art as they have more urgent issues to worry about such as putting food on the table.

After being around for 40 years and making inroads in the world of art, there were major plans to put it in the public limelight in 2008 by commemorating its 40th anniversary.

But this was not so successful as the ceremony was overshadowed by the post-election violence early that year.

The gallery’s founders wanted to create a platform for other artists. Joni Waite, one of its founders, recalls their humble beginnings.

"When we — David Hart, Robin Anderson and I — started Watatu, we simply wanted to create a space that would respect emerging artists and show their work in the best possible way. Now, more than 40 years later, Watatu is still the heart and soul of the best art in East Africa."

For 12 years, in the 1980s and beyond, Ruth Schaffner, a former American curator, popularised the gallery. Having worked in California, United States, as a curator for 15 years, Schaffner’s experience was invaluable.

She tapped into the local market for artworks. Before long, she started focusing on the local artists, supplying them with materials and finances, which most of them lacked. In no time, she had many talented artists in her fold.

One of such artists is Harrison Mburu. Says he: "When I was sick and badly needed money for medication, Watatu bought a lot of my sculptures. Since then, it has given me technical assistance. It has and continues to promote my artworks."

Renowned artist Sane Wadu recalls how the gallery made her who she is.

"In 1984, I had nowhere to sell my artworks. I walked into the gallery and my star suddenly lit up. Ruth did all she could to see me move in the right direction. She gave me art materials and technical knowledge, which has propelled me to my present status — a successful artist with works all over the world. Watatu has helped me put up my studio in Naivasha from where I operate plus, of course, other benefits," says Wadu.

After Schaffner died in 1996, her husband Adama Diawara and the gallery’s curator Morris Mamboso took over her role and still support local artists.

"We now represent more than 150 local artists, many of whom are recognised internationally. They include Ugandan Jak Katarikawe who has become a successful and internationally known artist as a result of Watatu’s efforts. Others are Sane and Annabel Wanjiku."

Two years ago, the gallery was closed for renovations. It was reopened in last June with a three-week exhibition featuring Waite and Wanjiku.

"I am what I am today because of Gallery Watatu. It discovered my hidden artistic talents and with dedication and moral support, it made me develop it to attain international acclaim," says Wanjiku.

Global recognition

Watatu is recognised by international museums, galleries and art publishers. It acts as an agent for artists from the East African Community, selling their artworks as well as exhibiting and storing these for free.

According to the Art Newspaper, Britain, France and the United States dominate the world’s 30 most popular art galleries and museums, based on the total number of visitors. No African art gallery or museum makes it to the list.

For example Louvre Paris, the most popular in 2010, received 8.5 million visitors followed by British Museum in London with 5.8 million.