Tabitha Wa Thuku

About myself

I started creativity as a self-taught artist at tender age back in the village.

At later years I attended art trainings and workshops to equip myself with wide ranges of techniques.

I have been in art for more than 30years.

My art has reached the other parts of the world mostly through galleries. I have travelled to some countries as an artist doing residences and exhibiting

I am among the Vanguard (old artists) who were recently celebrated by Circle Art Gallery.

I am a full-time artist but I try to balance my life as artist and day to day struggle for survival.

2002 my art was bought for the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, “it amazed me that a president can ride a bicycle to work and I created that expression”.

My little painting is also at Kenya State House through Museum.

The museum also has my art in the permanent collections

Safaricom HQ enjoys one of my largest painting.

Price Water House Copper has several of my art while MMC Africa holds the biggest collection of my art.

My art is also in several homes and offices; indeed,I feel honored.

In 2004 my art was in Bill Boards in Athens when I presented Kenya at Art Olympics alongside Olympic games

Thanks to Visual Voice courtesy of Susan Githiku for featuring my art among 500 Kenyan artists.

I have featured in papers, magazines and local Television.

"Art is my passion and through it have a Voice"

My source of inspiration is life in Africa and in a changing world

Engagement with other artists
I have taught and encouraged talent among the youths and fellow artists. I do not give up and believe I can always improve my creativity and that of others artists.

PROFILE

Date of Birth: 31 October 1963

Gender: Female

Nationality: Kenyan

ID Name: TABITHA WAITHIRA MBURU (I don't use this name in the art scene)

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

1973-1981…………………GITARE/NGEWE PRIMARY SCHOOLS

1982-1985…………………LORETO LIMURU GIRLS HIGH

SCHOOL1986-1987………NGARA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL

1990-1992…………………KENYA POLYTECHNIQUE

1996-1999…………………BURU BURU INSTITUTE OF FINE ARTS/ DIPLOMA

WORK EXPERIENCE

2020----------------My art is also auctioned by Circle art Agencies in the year auctions.

2018----------------Participated at the Vanguard Exhibition for senior artist at Circle art Gallery.

2018-----------------Solo Exhibition at Banana Hill Gallery

2017-----------------Art workshop at Villa Rosa Kempinski

2017-----------------Exhibition at Eagles Point at Elementaita, Nakuru

2016-----------------Exhibition during the Kenya Art Fair

2016----------------Donation: AMREF Health Africa

2016----------------Exhibition at a private residence. Host by Barbara Steenstrup

2014-15 -----------Exhibition during the Kenya Art Fair

2014----------------Studio space at Kuona Trust

2013----------------Exhibition Shifteye

2010----------------Permanent collection at the National Museum of Kenya

2005-2008-------- Assistant Art Educational Coordinator at Ramoma

2005-2007--------Artist Liaison Kuona Trust

2004---------------Healing Through Art program at Kenyatta National Hospital - Pediatric Wards

1999-2002--------Art Teacher Mukuru Schools (empowering children in the slums)

1992-1996--------Projects Founder & Tutor Korokocho Self-Help Groups (empowering single mothers in the slums)

1988-1989………Cash Office –The Weekly Review

1989-1990………H/Science & S/Ethics –Gatitu Sec. School Art Teacher – Watalamu College.

DONATIONS

Save a Child art Auctions
AMREF Health Africa

Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) and others.

ART COMMISSIONS

2017-----------------Grains Collages for ICIPE/CIAT

2017----------------- A paintings of Wangari Maathai for MMC

2010----------------- Main reception painting for MMC

2006----------------- Main reception painting for Safaricom HQ

1993----------------- Artistic impressions for Mathare A4 upgrading project.

PUBLIC /EXHIBITIONS

Places I Have Exhibited

Watatu gallery
Ramoma
Talisman restaurant
Railway’s museum gallery

Kenya National Museum gallery
Lux tailor’s residence
Diana family residence
One off
Paa ya Paa

French cultural center
Goethe institute
Italian institute
International school of Kenya
Banana hill gallery

Circle Art Gallery
Places Exhibited Abroad

Netherlands- Art residence at Fontys Academy
Germany- group exhibition
Greece- group exhibition

Italy - solo exhibition
Denmark- group exhibition
Scotland- Ndebeles
America- group exhibition
Tanzania- group at Cultural Heritage

Jamaica- Village of Humanity
DRC republic
Hong kong- Residence at Wan Chai

AWARDS AND HONOURS

Certificates

1987 2nd prize for schools and colleges art and craft competition

1994 Certificate of Thanks from the village of Art and Humanities.

1997 2nd Runner –up and certificate from Art of the matter Radio capital FM 98.4

1999 Certificate of participation in the elaboration and production of a mural on human

right: during 50th anniversary of universal Declaration of Human Right at Maison

Françoise

2000 Certificate of Merit: Best improve teaching of Art skills: St Catherine’s Primary School ( some my art students are presently topping in art)

2002 Certification of participation at visual Art exhibition by office of vice president Ministry of Home Affairs, Heritage and sports.

2003 Certificate of community-based consultancy skills: KOINONIA ADVISORY,

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

2003 Certificate of participation in an exhibition by ministry of gender, sports, culture and social services.

2004 Certificate of workshop attendance at mosaics by UK facilitator Jim Anderson,

and Kuona Trust Ukenya and Juhudi children club.

Letters of Appreciations

Letter of gratitude from Jamaica Arts Center for participation international weaving projects.

1995 Letter of appreciation and short-listed for poster competition for Domesticbrutality

Letter of service as creative teacher and instructor for single mother and girls self Help (bega Kwa bega) Korokocho slums Nairobi.

*1995 Short listed for Common Wealth Countries art and craft competitions

2001 Letter of appreciation for successful lecture an Art and Design and Drawing at Kirangari High School.

2003 Card of appreciation from Care International for donating a variable art piece for Their auction.

Recommendations

2004 Recommendation for exhibition attendance in Athens: Letter from Carol Lees Senior Co-ordinate RAMOMA

2004 Recommendation for visit as an artist; Letter by the country Director, Goethe Institute.

2005 From Ramoma a recommendation to Batapata Workshop Zimbabwe to be attended on 3rd April 2005 (I turned backed on the way to the airport due to the political situation in Zimbabwe)

Listing

1995 By British Council during poster competition against domestic violence

1998 By Common Wealth Art and Craft

Was listed among Kenyan’s celebrities during Launch of Care international new logo.

Chosen Invitations

1996 To graphic techniques by Graciela Soria at Maison Francaise

2002 Invitation for Festival Mudial: Tilburg of Netherlands.

2003 Invitation to voice a reflection on Kenyan Art with Catherine Ngugi and French Cultural Centre

2003 Invitation to a woodcarving workshop conducted by Christopher Mate Kenya artist from Zimbabwe.

2003 Invitation by Ramoma and Kuona Trust to submit work for Art Exhibition in New York.

2003 By Ministry of Gender, sports culture and social services – invitation for participation in Logo Design Contest by the AFRO-ARAB CULTURAL INSTITUTE BAMAKO (MALI).

2004 To East African women Artists workshop by Kuona Trust

2004 Invitation to the first Art in Movement reflection on changing artistic dialogues at French Cultural Centre.

2004 Invitation for Artiade: Athena Greece.

2005 Invited to participate in color exhibition/my voice used for the exhibition music.