Unknown sculptor who is a ‘celeb’ abroad

By Augustine Oduor

The name Elkana Ong’esa may not ring a bell among Kenya’s celebrities, but last weekend he drew a large crowd that included the American Ambassador, to a soapstone quarry at Nyabioto, Kisii South District, where he is carving a monument that will transform the foyer of the American Embassy in Nairobi.

Elkana Ong’esa who has made oustanding soapstone monuments for international organisations.

The sculpture at the Caltex Dallas headquarters stands two metres high and weighs two tonnes. The art features an elephant and a rhino in opposite sides and a rabbit on top of them. A man stands on the side with a calabash waiting to drink the water.

Ong’esa once again came up with a memorable work of art in 2006. The sculpture called ‘Her Mother’ is made of bronze and stands at ‘The World Sculpture Park ’ in Chang Chun city in northeastern China. The art, he says, depicts a mother hugging her child.

"There is, however, a big difference in size between the two. The concept here was that the mother will always stand tall and bigger than anybody else. You may acquire other societal positions but the mother will still be bigger than you," he said.

What he calls one of his most outstanding pieces is a sculpture that greets visitors at the entrance of Olympic Museums in Atlanta, Georgia. The carving made in 1996 depicts Maasai warriors dancing around a Coke bottle, an act supposed to show happiness and peace.

Ong’esa also has three of his works in Uganda, where he studied fine art at the Margaret Trowel’s School of Fine Art. They include one at Makerere Art Gallery, another at the Bank of Uganda, and the third at the Uganda Museum.

Back home, one of the major pieces is of the late Joseph Murumbi, Kenya ’s second vice-president, who requested him to monument a work for his grave before he died.

Post-poll violence

After the widespread unrest of post-poll violence in early 2008, Ong’esa crafted many sculptures, adding nuance to people’s understanding of how art is still an invaluable healing resource, especially during political turmoil and bloodshed that erupted in many parts of the country, leading to death and destruction.

Born in 1944 in South Mugirango District, Ong’esa has carved soapstone for most of his life.

Ong’esa challenges the Government to encourage students to explore their art talents.

Asked about his earnings, the artists declined to give details, only saying he earns enough to make a living.