Artist Statement
My work confronts the institutionalized cultural and political norms that control women's identity and sexuality. Utilizing self-portraiture, I reflect on my own identity and experiences growing up in Kenya. I use culturally significant fabrics to go beyond aesthetics, sparking symbolic dialogue on the role of culture in shaping us. In works like Hail Reverend Njeri, I subvert restrictions, physically and metaphorically reclaiming my place. I use various materials including charcoal, fabric, oil paints, pastels, and bleach. Nudity in my work conveys vulnerability, further challenging the constraints that society imposes on women. As a multidisciplinary artist, I work in drawing, painting, soft sculpture, installation, and fiber arts. Through this diverse range of mediums, I address the intricate interplay between cultural traditions and personal identity. I draw inspiration from African fabrics, traditional architecture, cathedrals and stained glass. With a background in Fashion design, I enjoy working with textiles and incorporating textile patterns into my work through collage and drawing. I welcome viewers into a broader conversation on the liberation and autonomous expression of female identity, questioning the boundaries imposed upon them by their cultural spheres.
Bio
Njeri Kinuthia was born and raised in Kenya. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from Machakos University, Kenya. Njeri moved to the U.S. in 2021 to pursue her MFA at the University of Central Florida, funded by the Provost's Fellowship Award. Her artistic merit has been recognized with awards, including the 2024 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art People’s Choice Award, the 2024 University of Central Florida Outstanding Graduate Creative Research, the 2023 Éclat Law Prize, the 2023 United Arts Public Art Award, the 2023 Innovation in Arts Award, among others. Njeri has exhibited her work in various shows and galleries, including the 2024 Florida Prize at the Orlando Museum of Art, and a solo exhibition at Snap! Gallery in Orlando. She has also showcased her art in Norway and New York. Njeri is also an Art Educator teaching at the University of Central Florida. Her work explores themes of self-reflection, feminism, and the suppression of women perpetuated by cultural and societal norms. Njeri has also shared her insights through artist talks and interviews, further contributing to the discourse on the role of art in society.