Printed Voices from Kenya: Social and Cultural Reflections

Printed Voices from Kenya: Social and Cultural Reflections

Curated by Saad Ghosn of SOS ART, Printed Voices from Kenya: Social and Cultural Reflections features 154 prints of various printmaking techniques by 42 established Kenyan artists, young and old. These artists use artwork as their voice and communication tool to reflect on the cultural and social issues they face.

Started in 2018, this is the fifth “Printed Voices from …: Social and Cultural Reflections” biennial exhibit and cultural event that SOS (Save Our Souls) ART (sosartcincinnati.com) is organizing and curating in partnership with KHAC. After Oaxaca/Mexico, Lebanon, Czechia, and India, the featured country this time is Kenya with its rich tradition and heritage in printmaking.

The exhibit will be accompanied by a mini Kenyan cultural festival on the grounds of KHAC, including dance, music, singing, poetry, art, food, etc. all based on the country’s culture; also by a mini Kenyan movie festival. It is hoped that sharing the Kenyan artists’ voice with the Cincinnati community will contribute to cultural exchange and enrichment, and to illustrating the power of art as a contributor to a universal better world.

The purpose of these “Voices from…” exhibits and events is to share with the Cincinnati public, art from a different country where artists use their artwork as their voice to reflect on their life, their culture, the problems they face as a society, and thus express themselves, their views and their beliefs; also to expose the Cincinnati public, through mini cultural and movie festivals, to various aspects of the culture of that country. This is very much in line with the mission of SOS ART, a nonprofit organization Saad Ghosn founded 24 years ago, whose goal is to promote the arts as vehicles for peace and justice, and for a better world.

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 27 from 6-8 pm. Light refreshments and music.

Kenyan Cultural Festival: Saturday, July 11 from 12-5 pm. Experience Kenyan culture through music, dance, food, poetry, and art! Curator Saad Ghosn will also be giving guided tours of the exhibition.

Image: BODA BODA II, John Silver Kimani, reduction woodcut; 12.5×11.75”