ART IS KEY

“Our admiration for the Creator's handiwork should not be limited to those things He has provided us with for our daily needs, but should include all that is good and beautiful. It is these feelings of deep and silent admiration evoked from our hearts that should find adequate expression in the fine arts.” Emperor Haile Selassie I.

Blessed Love to All.

You will have noted our stated intention above, to utilize agriculture and art as the main keys to opening up the community towards a sustainable way of life. In this article, we explore ways in which application of art is proving crucial.

 Just as art is in every way in which Life divulges herself unto us, so it is in the way we express our perception of Life.

At Shiriki organization, every volunteer has the opportunity to bring out their artistic side. Some came in with the actual intention to enhance their already existing art skills, while others have pleasantly surprised themselves with their hitherto unexplored capabilities.

That art holds such a central position within the organization and amongst the individual volunteers is testament to various factors;

• Art being a natural inclination within us, reveals itself through explicit awareness, or through the inner search, where you find a whole faculty lying dormant. 
• Art is an universal reflexion of culture. Through carrying on the ancient traditions of artistic expression we maintain a cultured outlook, civilization. Sharing these skills generously ensures that this aspect is carried forward for the benefit of posterity.
• Owing to the fact that worldwide there are people who appreciate art, it opens up the economic possibilities of trade.
• Art has proven a reliable catalyst for social interaction, from whence unlimited vistas of cooperation open up before our very eyes.

The artists

At Shiriki Organization, we have been graced with various artistic skills. Among our products are clothing items, covering you head to toe; hats, scarfs, tee shirts, khaki suits, sweaters, skirts, belts, and shoes. Our sandal industry is especially progressive. Most of the items mentioned above are hand work, made through weaving, loom work, crotchet and screen printing. The sandals mostly incorporate recycled car tires.

Their products

Other art include mosaics and painting. We make the mosaics using various materials, organic and otherwise; plant fiber, seeds, ceramic tiles, glass, marble and granite. With these we do wall panels, walls, floors, flowerpots, vases, furniture and more. We take public and private commissions, size no limit. Currently the volunteers are making a forty square meter mural for a cathedral, out of granite .

Street art-making mosaics

The finished product- masaic on Parliament road. Nairobi

 The volunteers also make top level jewelery using locally available materials such as bamboo, seeds, fiber and natural stones. The items include necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. Others are made from glass beads. Adorn yourself.

Handwoven bracelets

Graphic design is also a part of what we do. The various IT skills help us in the designing of clothes, posters and publications.

There are other art skills we may not have mentioned here. The volunteers are open to learn always. To teach too. We therefore have arrangements for sharing these skills especially with the youth. The lessons happen either through the learners coming to us, school programs or our outreach community visits.

Shiriki Organization, being a volunteer arrangement, means that it has been mainly up to the members to establish and maintain sustainability and organizational progression. Art has so far been the main means through which we earn economic sustenance. Out of this we are able to fund the day to day, as well as long term plans, from member contributions. Art has been without doubt key to our endeavors to uplift and raise consciousness among our communities.

Out of the foregoing, please note that any item of art you buy from us goes towards the operations of the organization as well as to the personal development of the artist. Currently we have opened up the local markets, where people are giving good support. We also attend trade fairs throughout the country, and hold exhibitions of our own. While we have been able to trade with a few international markets, this is still an area with much potential. Should you, Dear Reader, have any suggestions, do not hesitate to wise us up.

\Sample hand woven sandal

From our experience so far, there are unlimited opportunities for art to provide economic means to community members across the board. As long as youth can learn and develop art skills, there are openings.

Ras Otii waving a mat

 Most importantly, we have also been working with other artists, especially women, young and old, learning, providing materials and helping market their products. They make Kiondo bags, weave mats, crotchet work, sewing and even making clay beads. It is a big strength all round. Whoever thought such skills are still within our people, only lacking means of exposure?

In our next post, we shall expound further on the ways in which you can actively participate in the various tasks we have taken on.

Till then...AMANI.