Since its establishment in 2019, NCAI has assembled a collection of artworks that spans six decades and encompasses a diverse range of artistic expressions from the region. 60 Years will feature selected modern and contemporary works from this collection by artists from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering a nuanced exploration of East Africa’s cultural and artistic evolution.

The exhibition title, 60 Years, speaks to the temporal scope of the artworks and reflects NCAI’s commitment to chronicling the dynamic history of art-making in East Africa. Featured artists include modern masters such as Afewerk Tekle, Theresa Musoke, Pilkington Ssengendo, and Ancent Soi, alongside contemporary artists like Syowia Kyambi, Richard Kimathi, Peterson Kamwathi, and Chemu Ng’ok. The exhibition will highlight seminal pieces that mark key movements in East African art history and contemporary works that engage with current socio-political themes. Some works mark key moments in the evolution of particular artists’ practices, and collectively, the selected works contribute towards a narrative of modern and contemporary art that is reflective and forward-thinking.

The collection has been brought together through the generous gifts of our supporters and through the ongoing acquisition programme at NCAI.

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