JAMES MUTUGI
Artist statement:
My advice for people wanting to paint is not to think about the money or how you will sell something. Don’t worry about the market, worry about materials. Once you get materials, work slowly so that you do something beautiful that has a message for people. If the message is good, people will come from all over to meet you, even from other countries.
Formerly incarcerated at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, Kenya
Served 10 years.
Artist bio:
James grew up in a slum in Kenya, and was first taught art in primary school, where he won several competitions. In 2008, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbery. James became the first prisoner at Kamiti Prison in Kenya to paint murals on the walls, and also won a competition aimed at incarcerated artists, thought he was only able to receive art supplies though the Faraja Trust, a charity, as none were provided by the prison. Since his release he now goes back into prisons to continue painting murals, and also teaches art to prisoners. He held his first solo art exhibition in Kenya in 2022, and the following year was exhibited at the Kenyan National Museum, before also exhibiting at the Paper Chained International exhibition in Sydney in 2024.
Follow James on Instagram: @wangechijamesmutugi
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