TAKE 5: Elias Mung’ora

Elias Mung'ora is a Kenyan artist. PHOTO| ABIGAIL ARUNGA

What you need to know:

  • Someone called me in February this year saying they were looking for a Kenyan artist to feature on the show. My work was suggested, and they went on my Instagram page to see if my art was something they could work with, and it was.
  • he one thing I’d want to see though would be reintroduction of arts education (visual art /music) back into our school curriculum; it would go a long way in cultivating a culture that encourages us to appreciate our art productions more.
  • I’d have loved to be a writer or historian. The disciplines interest me because I am interested in writing about events and how we write stories about Africa and its contemporary communities; and how those stories are read around the world.

Elias Mung’ora was born 1992 in Nyeri County. He lives and works in Nairobi and is a member of Brush Tu Art studio. His work is mainly inspired by everyday life in Nairobi. He loves drawing; some of the mediums he uses are ballpoint pen, charcoal, pencil, acrylic paints and watercolours. One of his pieces was featured in season 2 of HBO’s hit show, Insecure.

1. You know I am going to ask you about the piece of art that was featured in Insecure. How did that make you feel? 

What I felt went from disbelief to exhilaration. It was an amazing feeling, being featured on such a popular show.

Someone called me in February this year saying they were looking for a Kenyan artist to feature on the show. My work was suggested, and they went on my Instagram page to see if my art was something they could work with, and it was.

The painting was featured in the season finale of Season 2 of Insecure, in a scene where Yvonne Orji’s character is meeting with the partners of a law firm. The painting depicts a man flagging down a matatu. I was paid for the use of the painting.

One of Elias's pieces was featured in season 2 of HBO’s hit show, Insecure. PHOTO| COURTESY| HBO

2.Do you think it is important for art to be a part of other art - paintings in TV shows, songs in theatre or poetry on canvas?

I believe it’s important to have these features or crossovers of disciplines. A feature of my painting in the show for instance meant exposure to a new audience who would otherwise have not seen the work. Though serving as a backdrop, I believe it’s important to have the different art forms working together. After the story came out, for example, there was a lot of interest in, and articles about my work. That went a long way to expose my work to audiences that would not have engaged with my work.

3. Did you get lots of people calling you after the show and did it make you feel a bit famous? Has it at least brought you more business? What is the most you’ve ever charged for one of your pieces?

I did get shout outs from a number of people thanks to the feature. I don’t know if I felt a bit famous but I did feel quite lucky. On the business side, not yet. In terms of what I earn, my work is dynamic, and price ranges across various mediums and art forms, so the pricing is generally anywhere from Sh15,000 to hundreds of thousands.

Artist Elias Mong’ora with one of his paintings. MARGARETTA WA GACHERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

4. If you could change one thing about the artistic community in Kenya, what would it be? A law that says all homes must have 50 per cent Kenyan art in them? A whole new ministry that gives trusts out for artists to live on?

I definitely would love a ministry that fully supports artists. That would be lovely. The one thing I’d want to see though would be reintroduction of arts education (visual art /music) back into our school curriculum; it would go a long way in cultivating a culture that encourages us to appreciate our art productions more.

Elias Mong'ora's 'Anshee' at Polka Dot gallery in Nairobi. PHOTO| MARGARETTA WA GACHERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

I’d have loved to be a writer or historian. The disciplines interest me because I am interested in writing about events and how we write stories about Africa and its contemporary communities; and how those stories are read around the world.

Currently, I am trying to marry my art with the practice of historicising and documenting our stories.

Elias Mong'ora with his 'Ice Cream Guy' at Polka Dot gallery in Nairobi. PHOTO| MARGARETTA WA GACHERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP