About Us

Hi, my name is John Wangendo a self taught artist and originally from Kenya. My art journey started in April 2020 during the Covid pandemic lockdowns and as i sat pondering how to get out of my boredom, i decided to try my hand in art at the urging of my daughter. Since i was a kid, i always knew that i loved to draw but with no prior training in drawing, i did not know which direction i wanted my art to go. But soon it became evident that i wanted tell the story about my African people through my art.

My art not only tells the narrative about our rich cultures & traditions but also about African kids who have to overcome so many hurdles throughout their young lives. Africa, a beautiful continent of 54 countries has over 3,000 tribes and my hope is to preserve some of the rich cultures from these tribes, cultures that are disappearing with the onset of the western world influences.

Bio:

Group exhibitions;

Exhibitions:1) BIPOC [Black,Indigeous and People of Color] art exhibition at the Evanston Art Center, Evanston illinois. 2022/23

                  2) NAACP [National Association for the Advancment of Colored People] art exhibition at the Evanston Art Center, Evanston illinois. 2023

                  3) Black History Month art exhibition at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston Illinois. 2023

                  4) BP Black History Month art exhibition, Chicago,illinois 2024

Solo exhibitions:

                 1) The Gallery @ a+c architects, Skokie illinois. 2024

Nominations:

                  The Mayor's awards for the arts by the City of Evanston 2023