Nedia Were is a self-taught contemporary visual artist, who was born and raised in Kenya, where he currently resides. His initial passion for art was cultivated during his childhood, where he started drawing characters he observed in cartoons, comic books, and newspapers. As a teenager Nedia continued to pursue art as a Signwriter, where he developed his own style of Signwriting.

A major inspiration in Nedia’s style of painting was inspired by his grandfather’s love of reading newspapers. Nedia was intrigued by reading the events and topics covered in these papers, he found a deep connection with the events reported in the news. Nedia continuously felt an urge be part of the solution for social and environmental issues and provide additional outlets as a voice for the disenfranchised in the society. In reaction to these feelings, Nedia decided to create art that promotes internal and external dialogue on societal shortcomings.

Were’s artwork is a visual response to the discourse surrounding representation of African figures within the visual arts, especially within art learning institutions and art history. The artist interrogates traditional notions of beauty and challenges western ideas of modern beauty within the canon of painting, with a specific focus on figurative paintings and portraiture. The human figure is a recurring motif as he reflect on beauty, taste, politics and the society. Were reimagines art history by placing his subjects in positive natural environments, often enjoying roaming within the frame and juxtaposed against elements of nature. The natural environment in Were’s subjects find themselves in a representative of fluidity, growth and rebirth of the African figure within the visual arts and the canon of portraiture.
 

Nedia has participated in over 27 exhibitions since 2015. Since his successful debut of the “Mumwamu” series at Mitochondria Gallery as part of the Duo exhibition “The Line between” in the fall of 2021, Nedia has continued to sell out in all fairs and group exhibitions he has participated in. 
 

BIENNALE
2023. XIV Florence Biennale. Florence. Italy

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MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
2022. 4000 years of African Art. Wall House Museum. Saint Barthelemy.
2019. Essence of time. Jimmy Kitheka and Nedia Were, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.

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SELECTED EXHIBITIONS BY NEDIA WERE
2023. When the Sun Stands Still, Mitochondria Gallery, Houston, TX
2023. Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Eclectica. South Africa.
2023. Miart Fair. Eclectica. Italy.

2023. The Possibilities of becoming. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston, TX.
2022. Fragments of Perceptions. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston, TX.
2022. My World/My View. Ross-Sutton Gallery. London, England.

2022. AKAA Paris Fair. Eclectica Contemporary. Paris. France.
2022 FNB Joburg 2021. Eclectica Contemporary. South Africa.

2022. Fragments of Perceptions. Mitochondria Gallery. Houston, TX.
2022. “4000 ANS”. Wall House Museum. Saint Barthelemy.


2022. Sotheby’s. CCA Lagos Benefit Auction.
2021. FNB Joburg 2021. Eclectica Contemporary.


2021. Black Excelence. Ross-Sutton Gallery. Miami, Florida.


2021. The Line Between. Mitochondria gallery. Houston. TX.
2021. Manjano Art Competion, Alliance Francaese.


2021. Group Exhibition Little Art Gallery, Nairobi Kenya.
2020. Group Exhibition Little Art Gallery, Nairobi Kenya.
2020. Manjano Art Competion, Village Market.


2020. Bookbunk Art Auction Nairobi Kenya.
2019. Group Exhition at international schools of Kenya(ISK).


2019. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.


2019. Group Exhibition , Karen Country Club.


2019. (Essence of time)Jimmy Kitheka and Nedia were , Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.


2019. Group Exhibition Arusha Cultural Heritage Arusha Tanzani.
2018. Mentorship Art Program Dust Depo by Partrick Mukabi.


2018. Safaricom Art Competition,Nairobi Kenya.


2018. Group Exhibiton at Mckinsey Mtaani Exhibition.


2018. Group Exhition at international schools of Kenya(ISk).


2018. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.
2017. Manjano Art competition Village Market.


2017. Kenya Art Fair Sarit Centre.


2017. Group Exhibition Karen Country club.


2017. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.
2016. Affordable Art Show, Nairobi National Museums of Kenya.


2016. Group Exhibition Karen Country club.
2015. Group Exhibition Karen Country club.

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AWARDS


1ST PRIZE WINNER Manjano Art Competion Nairobi Kenya …..2017

1ST PRIZE WINNER Safaricom art Competion Nairobi Kenya …..2018