Heaven Is Dry

Richard Kimathi was born in Kenya in 1971.

Almas Art Foundation presents a week of projects celebrating Richard Kimathi at the Africa Centre. 

Heaven is Dry brings together a selection of works from Kimathi’s prolific career spanning three decades. The week will also mark the launch of a documentary film and publication on the artist, produced by Almas Art Foundation.

Richard studied graphics at the Creative Art Centre in Nairobi and subsequently joined Kuona Trust. He currently lives and works in his studio in Malaa, southeast of Nairobi. Kimathi's caricature-like disconnected figures provide a compelling and emphatic commentary on his community's disenfranchised, working-age population. His practice also highlights the often-overlooked issue of male mental health struggles, and the societal pressures to appear tough while dealing with depression or substance abuse.

Kimathi exhibits regularly at One Off Contemporary Art Gallery. He represented Kenya at the Dak’art Biennale in Senegal in 2006 and the 57^th Venice Biennale in 2017.

The works in this exhibition have been loaned from One Off Contemporary Art Gallery and Richard Kimathi Studio. 

**The bar will be open and serving on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th April from 12 - 6 pm.