Spent a day immersed in African Art a few weeks ago, and found it both thrilling and depressing at the same time. Henry, Julie Mei and I went with a group of teacher colleagues caravaning downtown to start the day at the Murambi Art Collection on display at the National Gallery.
This once private collection of African art, housed in this small gallery, contained a wide-range of art from all over the continent.
One of the exhibit rooms at the gallery
Then we all went to the African Heritage House, owned by Alan Donovan, a collector and old-time friend of Murambi. Here we learned his story and how be came to reside in Nairobi.
Julie Mei and Jade standing on the property with the Africa Heritage House in the background. The house overlooks Nairobi National Park and is about to be added to a national register of historic buildings (or something like that).
Alan Donovan giving us a personalized tour of his art collection. He is leaving his entire collection in the care of the Kenyan gov’t and an American (as yet unnamed) university that has a sizable African studies program to ensure that these are not lost to corrupt government controls.
He owns a beautiful home, entirely designed and built by him, that is decorated with a collection just as stunning and expansive as what we’d seen at the museum, but this time we were his guests. After a private tour of his collection we all enjoyed a delicious lunch and swim in his pool.
There are four guest rooms and most of the teachers spent the night at his house. This is the master bedroom but all of the rooms are decorated. It was like staying in a museum!
The sundowner on the rooftop patio overlooking Nairobi National Park was stunning. It was a perfect way to spend the day together with new friends!
The entire group enjoying drinks on the rooftop at sundown (called a Sundowner).
Julie Mei on the roof.
The sunset.
Nachos in Nairobi 