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!

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
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

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

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
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!
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.