FMT in partnership with The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) brings you Covid-19 “healers” from Kenya.
Art 360°, a Kibra-based art group, paints murals as part of their Covid-19 awareness campaign. The team consists of two women and six men, including Benitoh, 28.
Benitoh said that his journey as a visual artist began in primary school and progressed further after high school. The murals they paint around the neighbourhood were inspired by the current pandemic.
The murals see large pedestrian traffic, which helps to spread the message of public health. Art is a tool for positive social change and artists in Kibra are using this fact to their advantage.
Children now understand it is important to avoid crowded regions and to always wear a face mask. The group has partnered with the Foundations of Hope Children’s home to spread awareness among the youth.
Kesh Nthamba is a Nairobi-based documentary photographer and cinematographer (DoP) specialising in storytelling, environmental portraits, editorial and photojournalism. The primary focus of her work is preventive medicine & health, sports, culture/art, landscapes and the Gospel. Kesh strives to tell and visualise stories of underrepresented people and communities of all fabrics of society, shining light on their humanity and everyday life. Her ongoing photo series explores the hidden, understated world of underground Kenyan hip-hop. Kesh’s work has been exhibited at the Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery in Nairobi during the 30 under 30 gallery exhibition. In 2016, Makenna emerged overall winner of the Samsung Colours of Kenya photography competition. View her portfolio here.
‘The Other Hundred Healers’ is an initiative by the non-profit organisation GIFT. The 240-page, full-colour, hardcover book can be purchased here at US$40 per copy for a minimum order of 20 copies.
