Nard's Art Brushes Hope in Kibera: A Young Generation's Beacon
Bernard Maingi, the founder of an art training center in Kibera, alongside Joyce Kimani
Each Saturday, kids as young as three years old flock to Bernard Maingi’s art studio located right in the middle of Kibera.
Equipped with curiosity, excitement, and an indomitable spirit, they look back on the lessons from the past weekend.
As the atmosphere buzzes with innovation, they assemble beside easels, crayons, pencils, sheets of paper, and clay, plunging into vibrant color swaths, detailed drawings, and deeply hued mixtures.
In the heart of everything lies a man widely recognized under his creative alias, Nard, an autodidactic visual artist. He has transformed his individual enthusiasm into a strong support system for youth within one of Nairobi's biggest unplanned residential areas.
Nard thinks that art serves as more than mere self-expression; it acts as a powerful agent of change.
“Art is the only way to transform the youth and the entire nation at large. This is my calling, to help green artists explore their skills and to give them a platform to express themselves,” he said during an interview with the Star.
In 2018, what began as a modest experiment has grown into a comprehensive community effort.
Nard officially launched his art teaching programme during the Covid-19 pandemic, when schools were closed indefinitely and the future felt uncertain. With children and their parents confined at home, a deep sense of hopelessness gripped the community.
His biggest worry was that teenagers might get drawn into gangs, or become victims of drug and alcohol abuse—issues he had seen firsthand during his childhood in Kibera. This apprehension resonated with both mothers and fathers as well as everyone else living in the neighborhood.
He mentions that numerous parents had lost their employment, while some faced struggles with family members afflicted by the illness, causing folks to plunge into deep despair at a concerning speed.
I believed I could offer them some relief by welcoming their children into my home, keeping them engaged and teaching them skills that might help provide for themselves someday. We were offering hope, and so many of those families truly needed it.
Ever since, Nard has coached over ten groups of trainees, every group comprising at least ten participants. His teaching sessions occur from Mondays to Saturdays during academic breaks, and also on weekends when regular schooling is happening.
The younger students delve into an array of visual arts, including sketching with pencils and painting, as well as sculpting, ceramics, and creating texture through impasto techniques employing palette knives.
For elder pupils, the sessions frequently extend into the night, providing sufficient time for them to fully delve into their area of study.
Although Nard manages the program autonomously, he benefits greatly from the essential backing of the Kibera Art District and the wider community, who have embraced his efforts with enthusiasm.
The students paint murals throughout Kibera, often bold, visual statements carrying powerful social messages. The community now regularly refers talented children to his space whenever they spot one.
“Parents walk in and tell me that the children have a certain artistic talent and ask me to help hone it,” he adds.
A pivotal moment during the peak of the pandemic occurred when Nard and his pupils produced Kenya’s inaugural COVID-19 inspired mural. This powerful artwork, laden with messages, swiftly gained traction online and garnered attention from international news organizations worldwide. This experience served as an awakening for Nard.
That's when I understood that art has the potential to generate income and convey profound messages. It can inspire individuals across national boundaries.
Nevertheless, the challenges remain genuine.
"Materials and rent pose the greatest challenges for me. Each time I sell a work of art, I must split the earnings between my family’s requirements and maintaining the studio space. Additionally, we consistently require supplies to sustain our classes—items like brushes, paints, and papers add to these costs," Nard acknowledges.
Even though he faced numerous challenges, his influence was clear. Many of his ex-students have found jobs at non-governmental organizations, whereas some are making money from commissioned artwork. Interestingly, one student has established their own art gallery—truly demonstrating that innovation can lead to new opportunities.
"I concentrate on young adults since numerous organizations cease their efforts after dealing with children. When these youngsters become older, they find themselves without support," he clarifies.
I aim to establish an informal educational center: a comprehensive creative space featuring visual and performance art studios, where musicians and actors can gather to learn, develop, and excel in their respective fields.
In a location frequently overshadowed by stereotypes of poverty and criminal activity, Nard’s artistic haven presents an entirely distinct image—one brimming with resilience, promise, and metamorphosis.
For each child who enters out of curiosity and departs with newfound confidence, Kibera acquires an additional stroke of hope painted onto its canvas.
Comments
Post a Comment