Jul 24, 2021
Nairobi
Wambui Wamae Kamiru Collymore
When Martha Kazungu visited Wambui’s studio, she was busy organizing for her Akili ni nywele Exhibition
She spoke about the exhibition plan and framework and explained the reasons behind the Akili ni Nywele exhibition whose title is a segment of a Kiswahili proverb - “Akili ni nywele, kila mtu ana zake (Intelligence is like hair, everyone has their own)”.
The exhibition Akili ni Nywele consists of art installations sourced for about two years, in which the artist seeks to ask fundamental questions about governance of womanhood and identity. While scrutinizing the acceptable behavior and rituals of hair keeping, Wambui asks - are we aware of where our definitions of femininity come from, and how much of it is with in our control? Are we aware of where our perceptions of beauty come from?
While using the ambiance created by familiar places of living such as a dressing room and a living room, the artist was able to lure her audience to each reflect on their individual journey regarding rituals of hair keeping. Objects on display include sterile hair dryers, projections with advertisements, romantic novels, barbie dolls, hair, haircarpet, mirrors and hair
Second to repetition of hair pieces throughout the exhibition, be it hair branding cut outs, or hair extensions themselves, the exhibitions incorporates gendered iconography. The walls and many of the items are colored pink