Martin Muhoro

There were never a lot of writing, spelling and arithmetic problems in Martin’s school books. Instead of this they were full of drawings of zebras, gazelles and giraffes. He grew up in the Rift Valley and on his way to school he often came close to the wild life of Kenya. He always knew that he would become an artist and when he left school in 2001 he started his struggle to make a way of living out of his paintings. This was not easy at all and there were several moments where he considered giving up. But every time he tried something else, he got restless and went back to his brushes.

Martin is 28 years old and lives with his family in a small village outside Nairobi. He has a big family, but he is the only one who has chosen to become an artist. His father is working at a big cement factory and he is not very happy with Martin’s choice. He would have preferred his son to take a job in a bank. But as Martin’s talent has unfolded he has become very proud of his son.

Today ,many years later, it is still the animals that are his big source of inspiration. His paintings are built up in many layers and the motifs are developed with quick brush movements across the canvas.

Martin has a distinct style and he has actually been recognized by a number of Kenyan cultural institutions who have invited him to exhibit his works.