Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga (born 1960), is a

Kenyan ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

sculptor and visual artist. She was shortlisted for the Financial Times/Oppenheimer Funds Emerging Voices Awards in 2016 and 2017.

Early years and education

Gakunga was born in Gacharage, Kenya in 1960. She had her tertiary education at the

University of Nairobi , mottoeng = In unity and work , image = Uon emblem.gif , image_size = 210px , caption = Coat of Arms of the University , type = Public , endowment ...

in Kenya where she acquired a bachelor's degree in Design. She furthered at the

University of California in Los Angeles The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California St ...

Career

Before leaving for the United States to pursue her graduate studies, Gakunga lectured at the University of Nairobi. She uses tin cans, textured sheet metal and steel wire to create wall-hanging sculptures. She has exhibited her works in the US, the UK, France, Brazil, Poland and Kenya. Some of the shows she has exhibited at include; the 2017 solo exhibitions at the

October Gallery The October Gallery is an art gallery in central London, established in 1979.October Gallery San Antonio ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= U.S. state, State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , s ...

Frieze New York Frieze Art Fair is an international contemporary art fair in London, New York, and Los Angeles. Frieze London takes place every October in London's Regent's Park. In the US, the fair ran on New York's Randall's Island from 2012–19 and in 202 ...

, the Art Paris Art Fair, and the Cape Town Art Fair. Her sculpture ''Mũgogo – The Crossing'' was exhibited at the

Royal Academy of Arts The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpo ...

in London.

Personal life

Gakunga is married. She lives and works in San Antonio, Texas.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gakunga, Naomi Kenyan artists 1960 births Living people Kikuyu_people University of Nairobi alumni University of California, Los Angeles alumni Kenyan sculptors Kenyan women sculptors