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Ahmed Kungu
 
 
About the Artist

Working primarily with acrylics I have pioneered my own style of mixed media pieces, both abstracts and landscapes. Using a unique method of printing from hand-cut stencils combined with painting my work can take many moods from vivid and exciting through to dreamy and relaxed.

Growing up in rural coastal Kenya, East Africa there were few material possessions so utensils and tools were made by hand from natural materials, and I continue this practice today keeping the creative process deliberately low-tech with hand made tools and wide use of recycled materials. My artistic appetite arose from the unique diversity of East African cultures encountered in my youth whist forging a working farm from virgin forest. Close encounters with a wide variety of truly wild animals enhanced my developing creativity and developed a deep connection with the land, nature and peoples. Seeing species of both plants and animals disappear from my district of Kenya within my own lifetime only serves to highlight my concerns for the future.

I am interested in exploring the conflicting relationship between nature and humankind. Fascinated by the concept of Gaia I seek to raise issues of values, society, politics and environment in vibrantly coloured acrylics. I believe everyone only sees a small part of the richness of life and need to open their minds to new ideas. The symbolic significance of the details in my paintings invites careful study as the apparent chaos both conceals and reveals images. This unique style, developed from the richness of my Kenyan origins tempered by the realities of the modern age, is shown clearly in recent work which focuses on endangered species from around the world and human responsibility for their peril.

 
Click to enlarge images
(if larger image has been loaded)
 

Leopards Don't Change Their Spots

2006
Acrylic on canvas
122 x 122cm

The leopard is highly regarded by my Kenyan tribe (Kikuyu), and this picture seeks to capture the essence of this wonderful animal as it intently watches the viewer.

Meercat Manor

2000
Acrylic on canvas
81 x 81cm

This seeks to capture a family of meercats taking their last look around as the day draws to a close. The owl chick waits to see if it's parents provide meercat supper.

Kinyonga

2006
Acrylic on canvas
76 x 80cm

Fascinated by camouflage I have concealed several chameleons within this colourful image.

Duma

2007
Acrylic on canvas
80 x 120cm

Drawing inspiration from cave paintings and continuing my theme of camouflage background images of the leopards can be seen reflected as mirror images along with their prey.

Wildlife in the City

1994
Acrylic on paper
76 x 102cm

This combines the wildness of the people and the creatures which inhabit our cities.

Shere Khan

2006
Acrylic on canvas
154 x 86cm

This picture asks you to reflect on the fate of the Bengal Tiger which is under severe threat of extinction.

Night Eyes

2004
91 x 151cm

Under cover of dark the leopard seeks his chance to drink. Safe for a moment, but for how much longer can this wonderful animal avoid environmental threats and hunters?

Emperors of Antarctica

2005
Acrylic on cotton
244 x 122cm

If only human beings could show the same dedication to their offspring! Will environmental changes and the scramble of Antarctic resources destroy this amazing animal?

Polar Meltdown

2007
Acrylic on canvas
47 x 81cm

Polar bears pushed to the limits by global warming reflect the increasing conflict between man and nature.

Samaki

2000
Acrylic on canvas
120 x 94cm

The beauty of the tropical reefs are rapidly being destroyed, often in the name of tourism.

Not Everything is Black & White

2005
Acrylic on cotton
244 x 122cm

This Symbolises the need to recognise many shades of possibility in life.

Stand Out From the Crowd

2005
Acrylic on cotton
122 x 244cm

Standing out from millions of Tiny South African Terns a sole individual stands proud.

Namib

2007
Acrylic, sand, shells, glitter on canvas
96 x 122cm

The serpant in the Namibian sands lies in wait for prey.

Elephant Sunset

2006
Acrylic on canvas
63 x 101cm

Elephant Sunset
Ivory as worn by elephants.

Elephant Sunrise

2003
Acrylic on cotton wallhanging
105 x 112cm

Elephant Sunrise
Elephants greet the dawn - may this be the same in the future.

Conflict of Faith

1999
Painted batik on cotton wallhanging
115 x 130cm

Conflict of Faith
The symbols of the world's major religions depict the struggle for power over hearts and minds.

Single Mothers

2005
Acrylic on cotton
65 x 85cm

Single Mothers
Everyone has a mother, they are special for all of us. Take time to see the overlapping images of mothers and their child in 3 primary colours.

Tentacles of Power

2005
Acrylic on cotton mounted on board
56 x 70cm

Tentacles of Power
The image of the twin towers is obscured by the squid which symbolises the ink of beaurocracy and the tentacles of power which reach into and dictate the official truths.

Satu

1993
Acrylic on paper
30 x 40cm

Satu
Satu (the python)curls through this African abstract.

Machoism

1994
Acrylic on paper
35 x 25cm

Machoism
This questions the machoism of men and the production of weapons of destruction. Seafront canons of world ports still stare out to sea.

Looking for a New Camp

1996
Acrylic on paper
39 x 30cm

Looking for a New Camp
Nomadic people always have a raw deal. here we see them being pushed out from their traditional grazing lands by new development.

Sura

1995
Acrylic on paper
34 x 26cm

Sura
Contrast the beauty and the ugly, reflect on life and death.

Mbuzi

1993
Acrylic on paper
40 x 30cm

Mbuzi
The sacrificial goat (scapegoat) is central to many cultures. Looked down upon by many (separating the sheep from the goats) and seen as an environmental nuisance by others, it still remains a tough survivor essential for many societies.

Spirit of the Banana Tree

1998
Acrylic on paper
47 x 30cm

Spirit of the Banana Tree
Banana wars have brought powerful nations into commercial conflict. The farmer respects and tends the crop and the developed nations take all the money.

Moto

1997
Acrylic on paper
48 x 37cm

Moto
Moto (fire) can be a curse as well as an asset. Here we see different responses to a house fire from panic to gossip.
 
Education and biography
EDUCATION
2006 BA (Hons) Visual Arts
Leeds Met. University
2002 HND Art & Design
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2006 Acorn Centre, Todmorden
2004 Love Apple, Bradford
2004 Arts Festival, Hebden
Bridge
2003 Tenth Muse, Todmorden
1996 Nelson's, Hebden Bridge
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2006 BA End of year show
2002 HND End of Year Show
2000 Millenium Dome, London
1992 Textile Art & Design
Show, St. Andrews,
Scotland
 
Future shows
July 2007 Spirals, Hebden
Bridge
Dec 2007 Ntama Gallery,
Todmorden
 
Website:  www.ahmedkungu.com
 
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