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What is sensible today
may be madness another time. -Yoruba of Nigeria proverb
Joseph Juma
 Joseph Muthui Juma was born in 1958, in the Nyeri
district of Kenya - just west of Mount Kenya. He became interested in art at a very
young age and would draw local landscapes and cartoons to amuse his classmates. At
the age of 14 an Italian priest saw that he had great potential and encouraged him
to pursue a career in painting.
Thematically, most of Juma's works are similar: The uncomplicated, stylized
people in the painting are either happy, or are wearing Juma's signature oval-shaped mouth as if
in awe or surprise (see detail). There are wildly sweeping backgrounds and some
sort of activity going on in the foreground where the characters come to life.
Juma's paintings embody a color, simplicity, and vibrancy that make
his stylistic paintings the epitome of African art.
From cartoons as a child to showing African life
and social interaction in his own unique style, Juma has become one of those artists whose paintings you seem to find
in every home in Nairobi. Vastly popular and reasonably priced,
he is one of Kenya's most
appreciated and desirable artists.
25 September 2006 -
I have added the six paintings
below. If
you have ever been to Kenya you have probably seen the public transport called
the 'Matatu', I think Juma is making fun of this mode of travel. Each of the
paintings has a signpost showing where the matatus are heading. These are really
colorful and fun paintings!
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Title: Traveling
to Hell's Gate
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $75 |
Title: Traveling
to the Maasai Mara
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $75 |
Title: Traveling
to Nyeri
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $75 |
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Title: Traveling
to Nairobi
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $75 |
Title: Traveling
to Mount Kenya
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $75 |
Title: Watching Birds
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Sold! 27 July '07 - To a return visitor to our website! |
Update: 15 December 2005 -
I have added three new Jumas. His surreal paintings are a real favorite
locally so when I see them I sweep them up! I think his popularity is due to the
fact that there are many veterinarians, and veterinary services going on in
Nairobi, especially those who live in Nairobi but work in Sudan. In many areas
of Kenya and Sudan your cattle, camels, and goats are your life. Without them
you are nothing.
ALL THE PAINTINGS BELOW HAVE
REDUCED PRICES SINCE OCTOBER 2006
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Title: Carrying Baskets
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $65 |
Title: Herding Cattle 1
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $65 |
Title: Herding Cattle 2
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $65-SOLD!
19 October 2006-To Spain-Thanks! |
24 May, 2005 -
We've added three
paintings by Juma in addition to his original works featured on Inside African
Art.
ALL THE PAINTINGS BELOW
HAVE REDUCED PRICES SINCE OCTOBER 2006
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Title: Five Red Oarsmen
Dimensions: 9.5" x 6.5"
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $55 |
Title: Four Oarsmen
Dimensions: 9.5" x 6.5"
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $55 |
Title: Four Oarsmen by Hut
Dimensions: 13" x 9.5"
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $65 |
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Title: Looking
Over My Shoulder
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $65 |
Title: Five
Orange Oarsmen
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $65 |
Title: Night
Runners
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Sold! 27 July '07 - To a return visitor to
our website! |
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Title: At
the Shamba
Dimensions: 13" x
9.5" (33 x 25cm)
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Cost: $65 |
Title: Nairobi Food Hustle
SOLD!
14 July 2006-To a new visitor in Texas! Thanks! This
painting has been on the site for a while and we are glad it has a home. |
Title: Milking
Blue Cow
SOLD! 1 October
2006-Overseas to Belgium-Thanks! |
The paintings
below have been SOLD
- They are for your reference only.
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