Here, now, an exhibition by Musyoka Martin invites viewers to slow down and rediscover the quiet beauty of nature.
Running from June 27 to July 19 at the One Off Contemporary Art Gallery, the exhibition of 37 works are intimate studies of grass that challenge audiences to look more closely at what they ignore.
The title Here; Now came from Musyoka’s observations of contemporary life, with people searching for moments of peace in the midst of demanding routines.
He says that when your mind is filled with life’s responsibilities, being present in nature is a form of meditation.
While people find themselves captivated by expansive skies and landscapes, Musyoka chose to focus on grass since he believes that it is one of the most overlooked elements of the natural world.
“Sometimes, instead of looking at the vast sky, you can look at the grass. People think about everything else and forget about it. I wanted to explore what happens when we start to notice it,” he says.
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His inspiration comes from riding his motorcycle through Nairobi and its surrounding green spaces. During these rides, he photographs landscapes that later become the basis of his paintings.
Going Home is a piece that he captured when he was going to his house. Another piece, Lake Tigoni Escapades II, was inspired as he was seated by Lake Tigoni; the purple grass and the quiet waters side by side struck a visual calmness. He says the colours aim to create a mood for the observer, and an abstracted sky complements the piece.
He recalls that when hiking in the Aberdares, a stunning plant stood out among the foliage, and the subtle colours blended effortlessly in the view, making him create another artwork, Detailed View.
“What drew me to grass is that we tend to think it’s simply green. When you really observe it, you see reds, browns, purples, yellows, and countless shades of green. I was amazed by that diversity and wanted to show it to people,” he says.
Musyoka believes that grass represents the foundation of healthy ecosystems and serves as a reminder of nature’s interconnectedness. For grass to exist, he notes, other elements of nature also exist.
He hopes the exhibition encourages people to value accessible green spaces, which he believes are becoming scarce.
"We have fewer places where people can simply go, rest and enjoy nature without having to pay. I hope this encourages people to appreciate those spaces."
The act of observing these miniature landscapes has also changed his own outlook. Spending time studying and painting grass has taught him to be more deliberate in life.
"We are always rushing from one thing to another. Taking time and slowing down and being more present in our own lives changes how we experience the world," he says.
Preparing for this exhibition has made him realise that he can relax and meditate while working. He immerses himself in the process and enjoys the work while appreciating life.
The exhibition is a culmination of what he has been exploring over the last few years, but he doesn’t feel he has exhausted it. Having explored the human figure, anatomy and cultural expression in previous bodies of work, he now considers grass to be the subject he still has the most to discover. It opens the next phase of his practice.
"I hope it encourages conversations about nature, inspires people to spend more time outdoors and reminds them that everyone needs spaces where they can pause, relax and simply breathe," he says.