[ MICHAEL ] SOI
Paint and Charcoal Art
“My work usually revolves around what Kenyans do or experience but don’t want to discuss,” Mr. Soi said. “I don’t seek change in my work. I document.”
Michael Soi is a Kenyan Postwar & Contemporary painter who was born in 1972. His work was featured in an exhibition at the Gallery 1957. Michael Soi's work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from $1,472 USD to $23,309 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork. Since 2013 the record price for this artist at auction is $23,309 USD for China loves Africa 63, sold at Piasa in 2019. Michael Soi has been featured in articles for the Financial Times, The Huffington Post and the ArtDaily. The most recent article is A Kenyan Painter Casts a Critical Eye on China's Role in Africa written by Abdi Latif Dahir for the ArtDaily in February 2020.
Nairobi based paint and charcoal artist, Michael Soi, 44, works at his studio at a communal art centre, The Go-down, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on August 26, 2016. Soi spurred a wave of controversy with China Loves Africa a cartoon-esque series of paintings depicting China's neocolonialist relations with Kenya and has yet again come to public limelight with another series of controversial paintings depicting yet another issue that many feel too uncomfortable to address: Nairobis sex trade. Entitled I Love Nairobi, Soi told New York-based music magazine, The FADER that the series is about the denial that sex work doesn't exist here and the fact that Kenya buries its head in the sand on matters pertaining to the trade.
PRESS
interviews and such
the new york times
nomad
AF Nairobi
and lots more here
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all pieces in our collection
Michael Soi Art Tote Bags are classic totes that'll handle whatever you throw in them, from books to groceries! With long straps, you can carry also comfortably as a shoulder bag.
A collector's item that can be framed or used for everyday art on the go.
