Nelson Ijakaa Imo
(b.1993)
In my current body of work I am working with sculpture in the form of shadow art in essence working
with both 2 dimensions and 3 dimensions. The sculpture is in the form of broken perspex pieces linked together and is not immediately discernible. I enjoy the abstraction that the 3-dimensional artwork creates which is then solved in the mind of the viewer by the projected image.
The impact I’m hoping for is to be able to bring taboo subjects to the forefront blatantly without using traditional figurative techniques. As with a good amount of my past work I have found myself politically active. The body of work focuses on socio-political issues ranging from the recent spurt of impunity and extrajudicial executions within the society to socio economic topics. It also allows me to create intimately personal works based on personal life experiences that have moved me as an artist.
Ijakaa is a multimedia artist based in Nairobi with a Certificate in Painting and Drawing from the Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts and International Baccalaureate from the Aga Khan Academy. He mentored under the Artist Patrick
Mukabi at the Godown Arts Centre for a brief period before moving on to practice.
His practice expanded to include sculpture and installation after attending the Artist in Residency program at Brush Tu, Nairobi.
Ijakaa has participated in multiple exhibitions and workshops within Nairobi and worked closely with various artists in an effort to improve his craft. He is currently experimenting with installation.