Elisha Ongere

I started communicating with Elisha Ongere when he discovered my website and wrote to me about promoting his paintings. I was very excited to have my first female artist to promote! However, since then, and through a series of mishaps, the paintings he sent me via a number of persons missed meetings, connections, became lost and then found, and eventually after ten months landed in my hands on my recent visit to Kenya. Imagine my surprise when I opened the tightly and carefully wrapped roll of paintings to find an incredible array of wonderfully imaginative and unique paintings! In addition, I was a bit embarrassed to find that Elisha was a guy - my bad! We had a good laugh about this when we eventually spoke by phone. Ongere was very courteous and the issue was too minor to formally address by email.

Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Ongere's paintings have only been on display in Kenya's National Museum and the famous Gallery Watatu. They are brilliantly creative and though simple, express both African culture and sentiments.

Update: 18 Jan 2007 - I have just added these fabulous Ongere's! His unique style and vibrant colors are amazing. He's a real 'thinking man's artist'.

6 November 2006-Four of Ongere's paintings are available immediately below. The first three are older Ongere style while the one remaining, "Mama's Burden" is from his newer style. Below the details of some of the sold paintings is a narrative by Ongere himself, describing his inspiration and thoughts behind the creation of the paintings.

Below, in the words of Ongere himself, is a small biography and a synopsis of his exhibitions.

Ongere Art

I started drawing and painting at my early age as a way of play and pastime. I was capable of making very fine drawings even before I started going to school, that marked the discovery that I was naturally talented. My works of drawings and paintings were of major attractions to my peers and teachers during my school days – but there was no teacher for art who could help me with improving on the subject. My pursuing the subject was primarily my own initiative as I had confidence in my talent.

I started taking my works to the galleries after visiting Gallery Watatu in 1991, meeting the proprietor, Ruth Schaffner, who introduced me to works by other artists as Joel Oswaggo, Sane Wadu, Elijah Ooko, Jak Katarikawe, Wanyu Brush, Zachary Mbutha, Jony Waite, Sekano etc. She found my works good and encouraged me to make more. I have sold several works since then through Gallery Watatu, Signature gallery (now closed), African Heritage, National museum’s Gallery of Contemporary E. African Art, German Embassy’s Offices corridors- Nairobi, Tazama Gallery, and French Cultural Centre-Nairobi.

I have mounted two exhibitions at National Museum’s Gallery of C.E.A. Art, Nairobi, and two exhibitions at MAISON FRANCAISE (French cultural center) Nairobi. I have also sent and had my paintings exhibited in Fukuoka, Japan. I have participated in several group exhibitions in the major Galleries in Nairobi, Kenya.

My paintings are popular for my unique style basing on - themes I approach, originality, creativity, and competence in use of materials. Due to these attributes I have sold several paintings locally, in France, Germany, Britain and U.S.A..

I like painting in oil paints, acrylics and oil pastels. I mostly use the approach of semi-abstracts as it allows me the freedom of expression. I like borrowing ideas for my paintings from contemporary social life whereby I reflect the themes of songs and dances, famine, refugees, bounty and merrymaking, pollution, man’s dependence on nature, etc. I mostly do my paintings on canvas because of its suitability to use of oil paints.

My paintings can now be found at Gallery Watatu, National Museum G.C.E.A. Art, and French Cultural Center’s Gallery – all in Nairobi. I am now pursuing exhibiting in U.S.A., Britain and Germany soon, as I have exhibited in Japan..

1991 - Started exhibiting paintings in group exhibitions at Gallery Watatu and Signature Gallery in Nairobi.
1992 - Participated in Group exhibitions at Gallery Watatu, Signature Gallery and African Heritage in Nairobi.
1993 - Participated in Group exhibitions at Gallery Watatu, Signature Gallery and African Heritage in Nairobi.
1994 - Participated in Group exhibitions at Gallery Watatu, National Museum Nairobi, African Heritage, and Federal Republic of Germany Embassy's corridors in Nairobi.

March 1995 - Participated in the "ANNUAL MUSEUM ARTS FESTIVAL" at National Museum, Nairobi.

1995 - Participated in group exhibitions at the Gallery of Contemporary East African Art, at National Museum Nairobi and F.R. Germany Embassy's corridors in Nairobi.

June 1996 - Participated in "ART KALEIDOSCOPE" exhibition at National Museum Nairobi.

1996 - March - participated in the "ANNUAL MUSEUM'S ARTS FESTIVAL" at National Museum, Nairobi.

1997 - 21st November to 11th December - Solo Exhibition dubbed "LIFE IN ART COLOUR" at National Museum. Sold several works through G.C.E.A. ART National Museum and Gallery Watatu.
1998 - Participated in several Group exhibitions at Gallery Watatu and National Museum in Nairobi.
1999 - 7th to 30th April - solo exhibition dubbed " MAN, NATURE DEPENDANT" at French Cultural and Co-operation Center’s "LE JARDIN CAFÉ"
2000 - Several works sold from Contemporary Gallery of East African Art, National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi.
2001 - April - June Exhibition at Fukuoka, Japan.
2002 - Sold several works through G.C.E.A. ART National Museum and Gallery Watatu.
2003 - Sold several works through G.C.E.A. ART National Museum and Gallery Watatu.

If you would like to purchase paintings by Elisha Ongere, please write down the name or names of the paintings and click: Purchasing Form ****Or, if you prefer, you can click to: Make an Offer