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Shabu Mwangi: (UN)CONTAINED TURBULENCE: Circle Art Gallery

Past exhibition
24 April - 25 May 2024
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Works

Shabu Mwangi (Kenyan b. 1985)
Lives and works in Nairobi

Shabu Mwangi’s third solo exhibition at Circle Art Gallery presents new works made in oil on canvas and steel over the past 18 months. In these paintings, Mwangi continues to survey emotional and psychological landscapes within himself and in society to create densely layered semi-abstracted compositions. Mwangi is concerned with the effects of structural violence in historical and contemporary contexts particularly those brought about by the farce of democracy and globalization, the isolation of capitalism and the severed interdependence that human beings have with each other and the world we inhabit.

Mwangi has lived and worked in Mukuru, an informal settlement in Nairobi where he co-founded the Wajukuu Art Project in 2013. In 2023, he was a finalist for the Access Art X Prize in the Africa/Diaspora category. In 2022 Mwangi and fellow members of the Wajukuu Art Project participated in Documenta 15 in Kassel, where they went on to win the Arnold Bode prize. He also participated in the 13 Biennial do Mercosul in Brazil, 2022. Recent solo and group exhibitions include: Self Addressed, curated by Kehinde Wiley for Deitch Gallery, Los Angeles, 2023; Systems to Emptiness, a prelude to Documenta 15, 2022; A Never Ending Longing, Circle Art Gallery, Cromwell Place, London, 2022; The Sources of Our Seas, Circle Art Gallery, 2021; East African Encounters, Cromwell Place, London, 2021. Other shows include: The Man with Two Shadows, Circle Art Gallery online, 2020; Yawning for Power, Tilleard Projects, 2019; The Stateless, Circle Art Gallery, 2018; Freedom, Flight, Refuge, Circle Art Gallery, 2017; Art Transposition Nairobi-Kampala-Hamburg, LKB Gallery, Hamburg; Pop-Up Africa, GAFRA, London, 2017; Out of the Slum, Essen, 2012.Mwangi has participated in residency programs in Kenya, Germany and Italy.

  • Shabu Mwangi, Fallen Not Broken, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Fallen Not Broken, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    173 x 140.4 cm
    70 7/8 x 58 7/8 in
    Available
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EFallen%20Not%20Broken%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E173%20x%20140.4%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A70%207/8%20x%2058%207/8%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Present Assertion, 2024
    Shabu Mwangi
    Present Assertion, 2024
    Oil on canvas
    97.4 x 90 cm
    38 3/8 x 35 3/8 in
  • Shabu Mwangi, State Of Nothingness II, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    State Of Nothingness II, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    68.5 x 51.5 cm
    27 x 20 1/4 in
  • Shabu Mwangi, Dining Alone, 2024
    Shabu Mwangi
    Dining Alone, 2024
    Oil on canvas
    97.2 x 90.3 cm
    38 1/4 x 35 1/2 in
  • Shabu Mwangi, Distortion in Global Politics, 2024
    Shabu Mwangi
    Distortion in Global Politics, 2024
    Oil on canvas
    176.5 x 157.2 cm
    69 1/2 x 61 7/8 in
    Enquire about availability
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EDistortion%20in%20Global%20Politics%3C/em%3E%2C%202024%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E176.5%20x%20157.2%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A69%201/2%20x%2061%207/8%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Coercive State, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Coercive State, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    154.5 x 139.3 cm
    60 7/8 x 54 7/8 in
    Enquire about availability
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3ECoercive%20State%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E154.5%20x%20139.3%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A60%207/8%20x%2054%207/8%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Chronology of a Thought (Jana, Leo, Kesho), 2024
    Shabu Mwangi
    Chronology of a Thought (Jana, Leo, Kesho), 2024
    Oil on canvas
    173.4 x 200.6 cm
    68 1/4 x 79 in
    Available
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EChronology%20of%20a%20Thought%20%28Jana%2C%20Leo%2C%20Kesho%29%3C/em%3E%2C%202024%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E173.4%20x%20200.6%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A68%201/4%20x%2079%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, State Of Waiting II, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    State Of Waiting II, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    153.3 x 180.4 cm
    60 3/8 x 71 in
    Available
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EState%20Of%20Waiting%20II%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E153.3%20x%20180.4%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A60%203/8%20x%2071%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Failed Coup ll, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Failed Coup ll, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    188.3 x 152.3 cm
    74 1/8 x 60 in
    Available
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EFailed%20Coup%20ll%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E188.3%20x%20152.3%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A74%201/8%20x%2060%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Agreeing Not To Agree, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Agreeing Not To Agree, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    158.2 x 132.5 cm
    62 1/4 x 52 1/8 in
    Enquire about availability
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EAgreeing%20Not%20To%20Agree%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E158.2%20x%20132.5%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A62%201/4%20x%2052%201/8%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Crippling State, 2024
    Shabu Mwangi
    Crippling State, 2024
    Oil on canvas
    185.4 x 173.6 cm
    73 x 68 3/8 in
    Enquire about availability
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3ECrippling%20State%3C/em%3E%2C%202024%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%20%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E185.4%20x%20173.6%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A73%20x%2068%203/8%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, We Belong to the Land, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    We Belong to the Land, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    157.7 x 112.3 cm
    62 1/8 x 44 1/4 in
    Enquire about availability
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EWe%20Belong%20to%20the%20Land%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E157.7%20x%20112.3%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A62%201/8%20x%2044%201/4%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Ciakorire Wacu Muguda, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Ciakorire Wacu Muguda, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    113.5 x 165.2 cm
    44 3/4 x 65 in
  • Shabu Mwangi, Loathing In Silence II, 2024
    Shabu Mwangi
    Loathing In Silence II, 2024
    Oil on canvas
    120.7 x 108 cm
    47 1/2 x 42 1/2 in
    Enquire about availability
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3ELoathing%20In%20Silence%20II%3C/em%3E%2C%202024%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%20%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E120.7%20x%20108%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A47%201/2%20x%2042%201/2%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Trust The Path, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Trust The Path, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    127 x 124.3 cm
    54 x 51 5/8 in
    Enquire about availability
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3ETrust%20The%20Path%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E127%20x%20124.3%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A54%20x%2051%205/8%20in%20%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Voice of a Voter, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Voice of a Voter, 2023
    Oil on canvas
    88 x 64.5 cm
    34 5/8 x 25 3/8 in
  • Shabu Mwangi, Emptiness in a Gown, 2024
    Shabu Mwangi
    Emptiness in a Gown, 2024
    Oil on canvas
    107.1 x 82.3 cm
    42 1/8 x 32 3/8 in
    Available
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3EEmptiness%20in%20a%20Gown%3C/em%3E%2C%202024%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E107.1%20x%2082.3%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A42%201/8%20x%2032%203/8%20in%3C/div%3E
  • Shabu Mwangi, Space Within, 2023
    Shabu Mwangi
    Space Within, 2023
    Oil on steel
    125.5 x 79.6 cm
    49 3/8 x 31 3/8 in
    Available
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EShabu%20Mwangi%3C/strong%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-title%22%3E%3Cem%3ESpace%20Within%3C/em%3E%2C%202023%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-medium%22%3EOil%20on%20steel%3C/div%3E%0A%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22pv-dimensions%22%3E125.5%20x%2079.6%20cm%3Cbr%20/%3E%0A49%203/8%20x%2031%203/8%20in%3C/div%3E
Installation Views
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Publications
  • Shabu Mwangi

    Shabu Mwangi

    (Un)Contained Turbulence Circle Art Gallery Read more

Related artist

  • Shabu Mwangi

    Shabu Mwangi

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