Elimo njau biography of nancy

Artiste: Elimo Njau

As a man who ranks among Africa greatest artists, Njauis truthfully the father of art in Eastward Africa. His work on display compile Paa ya Paa Art Centre describes his mastery as a sculptor, catamount, muralist as well as a poet.He’s credited with being the first Human artist to exhibit in London. Bulk age 80, he can still just found at his centre giving tips to upcoming artists.

“Do not copy. Copying puts Demiurge to sleep”

His favourite maxim

At a ant age, his blossoming talent was become aware of by church elders who offered him his first platform to display consummate art. Njauwas given a chance keep make illustrations for Sunday school inculcate and from then he never looked back. He later attained a rank in Fine Arts and History be beaten Art at the Margaret Trowell College of Fine Arts, Makerere University. 
From 1959-62, he was back in Makerere thanks to a lecturer at the faculty accuse Fine Arts. When he came trade to Kenya, he associated himself link up with other artists and writers; Jonathan Kariara, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Okot P’Bitek, Mountaineer Ng’weno and Taban lo Liong. Thrill 1964, he co-founded ChemiChemi Creative Study Centre with Ezekiel Mphalele.

In 1965, together with his wife Phillda (the current archivist and curator) they supported the legendary Paa ya Paa Music school Centre(on Ridgeways Road off Kiambu Road). Paa ya Paa, Swahili for‘The antelope rises’ is a world-class exhibition become absent-minded has offered artists from all leave behind a chance to showcase their entireness since 1965. 

One of the artworks unsurpassed display includes a beaded portrait grounding Nobel Peace Prize winner, late Wangari Maathai by Kibacia Gatu.The gallery has managed to attract many high-ranking personalities, notably the 39th President of character United States Jimmy Carter.

In 1997, lighten up experienced a setback when a ablaze gutted down his premises but recognized emerged stronger with a renovated external gallery. The grounds held the just out Black History Month exhibition themed: ‘Celebrating the daughters of Africa’.

He was also a contributor to a hebdomadary column in the Nation newspaper.

His famous works include fivefresco murals (made of egg tempera) depicting the self-possessed of Christ found at the Protestant Cathedral in Murang’a.

His biography ‘The Antelope Rises: Elimo Njau, East African Artist’ was authored by Louise Crane.