Last updated on June 15th, 2023 at 08:07 am
Looking For the Best Art Gallery in Nairobi? Nairobi hosts the majority of the art galleries found in Kenya.
Get to discover Nairobi’s best Art galleries with unique experiences, art vibes, art spaces and more.
Here are some of the best you can visit when you are in the capital:
1. Matbronze Art Gallery and Foundry
Matbronze was founded in 1987 by Mathews Denis with the aim of making African wildlife timeless. It captures the beauty of Africa’s wildlife through handmade bronze sculptures.
The sculptures are made in varieties ranging from animals to plants, accessories and home items. The Art Gallery is located in Kifaru Lane Nairobi, and operates daily from 8 am to 5.30 pm.
2. Polka Dot Art Gallery
Polka Dot was set up in 2016 by art lover and curator Lara Ray and is located in Souk Shops Karen, Nairobi.
It showcases art from both local and international artists and runs creative workshops, classes, and events such as life drawing, painting, and sculpture.
Monthly exhibitions are held at the gallery, with upcoming and established artists meeting to share ideas concerning their works.
The gallery is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
3. One-Off Contemporary Gallery
One-Off Gallery was founded by art enthusiast Carol Lees in 1994. It displays work from both local and international artists with roots in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Sudan. Peterson Kimathi, Peter Ngugi, Lisa Milroy, Anthony Okello, Elias Mung’ora, Ehoodi Kichapi, and Harrison Mburu are just some of the many artists whose work you’ll see featured as you take a tour around the gallery.
In 2011, One-Off Contemporary Gallery was featured in Departure Magazine’s List of the Best Things to Do in Nairobi.
If you are planning to experience this exquisite place, it is located at 16 Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate off Limuru Road. It is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm.
4. Upepo Photography Gallery
Upepo is a Swahili word for “wind.” And the wind blows things or even people away. This is exactly what the artefacts at Upepo Art Gallery will do to your mind once you pay them a visit.
Upepo is unique in that all of its artefacts are of Kenyan origin. Everything related to Upepo is Kenyan-made. All the works are numbered, have a certificate of authenticity, and the originals are sold in limited editions of 50 prints.
The majority of the pieces are also signed by the photographers (owners) and are available for sale in both the local and international markets.
It was founded in 2017 by Cyril Villemain and is located in Artists Collective Kilimani, Nairobi. Upepo is temporarily closed.
5. Golden Eagle Art Gallery
The Golden Eagle Art Gallery was pioneered by Mr Sebastian M. Mutinda and has played a major role in growing the Nairobi artistic space.
Sculpture, African attire, jewellery, antiquities, paintings, and other works are among its main art pieces.
The works, which originate from both local and international artists,
are inspired by nature, culture, creativity, innovation, and imagination, which are turned into reality. It is located along Lang’ata South Road in Nairobi.
6. Karen Village
Karen Art Village boasts of being a haven of creativity, music, heritage, and peace. It hosts painters, glass artists, artisans, framers, sculptors, art galleries, and event agencies.
Located along Ngong Road, Karen Art Village was inaugurated in 2015 by the then Kenyan Chief Justice, Dr Willy Mutunga. While at the gallery, you can also visit their restaurant, bar and grill, or get accommodation services.
7. Nairobi Art Gallery
Located along Kenyatta Avenue, the Nairobi Art Gallery was officially opened in 2013. It is part of the National Museums of Kenya, hosting Africa’s richest gems, including jewellery, paintings, tapestries, trinkets, and some more. The gallery is kind of small, but don’t be surprised when you fall in love with a new piece of art every time you pay a visit.
Other than hosting the works of art, the Nairobi Art Gallery is a historic site as it was formerly the Provisional Commissioner’s Office where birth, marriage, and death certificates were issued, hence the nicknames “hatches, matches, and dispatches.” It also houses the zero point from which all distances in Kenya are measured.
It is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
8. Circle Art Gallery
Circle Art Gallery is among the art galleries that have taken advantage of the digital space to reach many contemporary lovers of art.
The Art Gallery has been in the industry since 2012 and takes pride in supporting and promoting the work of artists by increasing their visibility in both the local and international markets. It holds regular exhibitions and art fairs where emerging artists are introduced to the world. Circle Art also blogs about renowned artists and shares their work through various digital platforms.
It is located along James Gichuru Road, Lavington and operates from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
9. The GoDown Arts Center
GoDown thumps its chest as a leading centre for arts and culture as it issues diverse programs through the training and development of artists and has held some of the most successful campaigns in the art industry. It strives to create a better workplace, meeting place, and address for artists to increase their stability, legitimacy, visibility, and creative confidence.
GoDown is best known for its outstanding artwork branded “Kenya Burning”, which shows the state of Kenya during and after the 2007 general election violence.
It was established in 2003 and is located along Dunga Road in Nairobi. Regular shows and cultural nights are usually held at the gallery. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
10. Banana Hill Art Gallery
Since its inception in 1992 by Rahab and Shine Tani, the Banana Hill Art Gallery has been the place to go for almost all lovers of contemporary art.
The gallery showcases drawings, paintings, and sculptures. They also offer shipping services once a client has made a purchase. It is located in Village Market, Nairobi, and is open Monday to Sunday.
11. Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery
Kioko Mwitiki, a well-established sculptor from Kenya, owns the Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery in Nairobi’s Lavington Estate. It hosts his own works of art, which are mainly made from scrap metal. He gained fame because his artwork was mainly focused on recycling, which is a form of environmental conservation. His work was so good that “he had to send whole containers full of his sculptures abroad just to meet his clients’ desires for his art.”Other included works are paintings, sculptures, macramé, and prints, all created by his mentees.
The gallery is located in Lavington Mall along James Gichuru Road, Nairobi. Photizo Art Gallery
12. Photizo Art Gallery
Photizo is found at the Valley Arcade Shopping Center in Lavington, Nairobi.
It showcases artwork from local and international artists, either established or quickly on the rise. The artists are mainly from Eastern and Central Africa, but their works can be shipped to any part of the world.
Photizo was founded in 2013 by its Director and Curator, Lydia. Its offices operate from 9 am to 5 pm every Monday to Saturday.
13. Shifteye Art Gallery
Shifteye provides space for photography, events, and exhibitions. It is found in Hurlingham’s Priory Place. It is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
14. Kuona Trust
Kuona Trust’s aim is to mentor, develop, and promote artists in the visual arts industry. It runs studios, exhibitions, fora and workshops to improve the practice of contemporary art in Kenya. You can visit the gallery any day from 9 am to 5 pm located at Likoni Cl, Nairobi.
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