Exhibition by East Africa's Pioneer Artists

12-29 April 2012. On occasion of the 40th anniversary of the African Heritage, this exhibition pays homage to some of the pioneer artists of East Africa, who struggled against tremendous odds right after the Tanzanian independence in order to pursue their artistic education.

On display are works by Francis Nnaggenda, former Chairman of the Fine Arts Department of Makerere University, the Kisii carver Elkana Ongesa, the ceramist Magdalene Odundo, whose works deeply inspired the early modern European artists, John Odochameny, former sculpture teacher at the African Heritage, the outstanding and innovative artist, designer and builder Expedito Mwebe and by Sanaa Gateja, known throughout Africa and Europe for her experimentations with local African materials.

The African Heritage was founded in 1972 by Alan Donovan in collaboration with Joseph Murumbi, former Foreign Minister and second Vice President of Kenya, and his wife Sheila. The aim of this association was to create legacies in the world of arts and crafts, jewellery and fashion, music and dance and architecture.