Cyrus Kabiru

Cyrus Kabiru (born ) is a Kenyan visual artist, who is self taught.

Biography Kids from Casablanca, Morocco, visiting the art show "Material Insanity" (2019) at Marrakech's Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL). Work by Cyrus Kabiru. Cyrus Kabiru was born in in Nairobi, Kenya; one of six children who lived in a small home opposite a garbage dump. Inspired by a story about his father repairing glasses with discarded materials, he became interested in creating objects by upcycling found objects and trash. Kabiru's art practice intersects sculpture, craftsmanship, photography, design and fashion. Though much of his experience with art is self-taught, his career officially began in 2007 when he first exhibited in the Kuona Trust Visual Arts Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. His work is praised for its capacity to change viewers' perspectives, advancing discourse amidst discussions of African intellectual fields, and exploring the relationship between the past and future. Kabiru's work has been featured in several Afrofuturist publications, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room.

Self-portrait photography of Kabiru wearing these pieces are often displayed as their own works, such as the Macho Nne collection.

Black Mamba series The Black Mamba series is an assortment of assembled sculptures made to resemble the Indian-based bicycle brand of the same name. Kabiru created this series as an homage to the brand, which saw considerable usage as a method of transport in Kenya, though these bikes have gradually seen less activity due to urbanization in African neighborhoods. Kabiru also maintains a personal connection with the bicycles, having ridden one himself as a child. This series of artworks has seen considerable public exposure, being linked to the inception of The End of Black Mamba, a documentary series also produced by Kabiru.

Miyale Ya Blue, 2020 Miyale Ya Blue (2020) is a 60 x 65 x 15cm. assembled sculpture made with electronic waste and junk-like materials, decorated with vibrant coloration and noticeable adornments, and is one of a series of sculptures that resemble custom-fashioned radios. Kabiru drew inspiration for this series from his own personal experiences with transistor radios; this specific piece gets its name from the Swahili word 'miyale' (meaning 'rays') to invoke the rays of the sun. Miyale Ya Blue is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and is featured amongst a collection of Afrofuturist artworks.

Group exhibitions

(2021) Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. (2013) Afrofuture: Adventure with Makers, Thinkers, and Dreamers, Milan Design Week, Italy.

Collections

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), Cape Town, South Africa. Studio Museum in Harlem, New York City.

Honors and awards

(2016) Quartz's Africa Innovators Award, Nairobi, Kenya. (2013) TED Fellowship @ The Young, The Gifted, The Undiscovered, US.