Ijakaa

Nelson Ijakaa, a Kenyan artist from Nairobi, finds his creative voice in the intersection of diverse mediums. Embracing the concept as paramount, Nelson navigates through various disciplines to articulate his ideas. While deeply rooted in traditional mediums like oil and acrylic paintings, his artistic journey took a transformative turn during his first residency in 2017. Here, he worked in sculpture and installation exploring the dimensions of both 2 and 3D expression. Nelson’s artistic footprint spans across multiple exhibitions, locally and internationally. From the thought-provoking “Identity” at the Attic Space to the introspective “If Not Now” at the Cave Bureau, his work has traversed various thematic landscapes. In 2023, he was selected as a guest lecturer and resident artist in the Time-Based Media department of the HFBK Hamburg for the summer semester and continues to be an active contributor. While there, he lectured on Virtual Reality narrative building as well as ethical A.I. Currently, the artist lives and practices between Nairobi and Arusha and immerses himself in the dynamic realm of Virtual, Mixed, and Augmented Reality whilst actively engaging his traditional practice. Within these technological spheres, he takes a critical stance, examining the nuances of contemporary life and the evolving social fabric. Through his digital creations Nelson invites audiences to engage with his reflections on power dynamics and societal narratives.