Gakunju Kaigwa

Was born in Nairobi in 1958. Now a sculptor, he initially begun working as a set designer and painter. This was following his graduation from university in 1980. He later took up sculpture, creating mostly human figures inspired by his observation of society. In 1988, a scholarship to a university in Italy, allowed Kaigwa to work with other sculptores from all over the world, primarily in marble. When he came back home, he began working with other materials including steel, wood, plasters and fiberglass. In 1992, he took on a Masters degree in public art.

In 1994, Kaigwa took on an apprenticeship at a sculpture institute in New Jersey, in the USA. There he mastered the process of metal sculpture production including casting in bronze, aluminium and iron. He later enrolled there as the stone division's studio's first apprentice. Kaigwa later moved to California where he took up jewellery making and joined the Berkeley Street Art Programme. On returning home in the 2000s, Kaigwa took up a space at the GoDown Arts Centre and currently works from a studio space at Kuona Trust.

His work continues to be mostly of figurative sculptures; potraying human conditions and evoking thought and emotion in the viewer. Kaigwa's work is installed in public spaces both locally and abroad.