Lot 56

Jackson Wanjau (Kenyan, born 1966)
Hornbills, 1998
Unsigned
Wood carving
40 x 26 x 40.5 cm
KES 200,000- 300,000
(US$)1,600 – 2,400
Provenance: From the Collection of the Ford Foundation, Kenya
Sold KES 352,200

Son of revered Kenyan sculptor Samuel Wanjau, Jackson initially rejected following his father’s footsteps and studied to be a primary school teacher. He continued to work alongside his father in his spare time and in 1994 decided to focus on his art practice. The influence of his father’s work is evident in Wanjau’s technique of skilfully allowing a figure, an animal or a story to emerge whether carving from stone or wood. His sculpture is distinguished by the angles and distortion in the form and by his careful finishing and detail.