In 2010, while busy with my web programming work, I met an artist who wanted to have his portfolio online. He needed a website with which he could showcase his work and direct his clients to. We struck a deal and I started on the work. As I flipped through the images of his work which he wanted uploaded on his website, I marveled at how one could create from nothing into something so breathtaking. I was hooked!
I started browsing online looking for other artists, reading about them and admiring their work. Although I have never been involved in painting or even drawing anything before, I immediately realized how much I enjoyed looking at and being around art. I have never looked back ever since.
I offered to talk to some people about this artist that I encountered. I talked to everyone I thought would be interested. I even went around looking for suitable spaces where he could showcase his work. I felt everyone ought to see what I was seeing. He was officially my first artist.
While doing that I met an art collector who was in the process of setting up an art gallery in Nairobi but didn’t have the right person to work with. When I talked to him about my artist and his work, he knew he had found the person. He offered me the job of running his art gallery and well I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to learn hands on. This platform connected me to many established artists, curators and stakeholders in the industry. They taught me a lot. I also took up numerous online courses in my quest to know more and do more.
In 2013, I resigned to start my own hustle. Together with my artist no. 1 we started Photizo Art Gallery. After putting up several pop up exhibitions in various places, we were finally able to negotiate a space where we could hold regular exhibitions. We had the vision to help the world discover Africa through the numerous very talented artists from the region. Photizo now boasts of over 50 artists from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC, Rwanda and we are expanding to the whole of Africa.
We now have a vibrant web presence which is helping us achieve our goals and realize our dreams.
I would like to thank all the artists who have believed in us and entrusted us with their treasured works. We are going far.
To the numerous collectors and art lovers who have chosen us to supply them with the best of Africa, God bless you. We couldn’t have done it without you.
I welcome all new artists and new buyers to be part of this amazing journey.