Gallery Watatu's Affordable Art Week

As part of the campaign to nurture the next generation of art buyers, East Africa’s famed Gallery Watatu is putting on a week-long yuletide sale titled “Affordable Art” from December 17th to 24th at the Lonrho House showroom, Standard Street, Nairobi.

About a thousand mainly small-size art works are being offered from Ksh500 ($6) to Ksh8000 ($100). The pieces normally go for triple to ten times more. Varied genres and tastes are there, from figurative paintings to abstract expressions; from oil, acrylic, ink and watercolour to silk prints, stone and metal sculptures.

All the big names at the gallery have agreed to this one-off offer as goodwill and encouragement to get the young, as well as ordinary wananchi, to appreciate their work. The artists include Meek Gichugu, Wanyu Brush, Sane Wadu, Joseph Cartoon, Anabelle Wanjiku, Ssali Yusuf, Anwar Nakibinge, Jak Katarikawe, Tabitha wa Thuku and Sekajugo.

There’s an extra sweetener: “Any child below the age of 10 can select any piece, say how much he or she can afford - and take it home!” said Mutari Diawara, son of Watatu’s owner, Adama Diawara.

A section of the gallery remains open to patrons and cognoscenti for the normal price range.

More details on www.africancolours.com and www.gallerywatatu.com