Anthony Okello

“I do believe as an artist that the work must resonate with me first before it does to others” Anthony Okello’s works over the last 5 years have characteristically been allegorical compositions with a cast of animal and human forms playing out mythologies collected from local communities. In his recent series of work there is a move towards a more personal mythology. Okello was born in Kenya and studied art at the Buru Buru Institute of Fine Art before moving to Kuona Trust in 2004. His work is included in various private and corporate collections such as PwC and Afren PLC. His work has been published in ‘World Art Collection – 1001 reasons to love the art’ and he has exhibited in Kenya, India and France.

‘Masquerade’ was made after a recent move to the outskirts of Nairobi. He says it is a reflection not only of himself but of society, changing identities, pretence and the hiding of ones true self. This painting is the final one in his Masquerade series, showing deeper emotion than the earlier works, one of which was recently sold at Bonhams in London.