Artist

Wesley Osoro is a 29-year-old artist from Kibera, Nairobi. He was one of the first artists to join the Uweza Art Program, starting in 2011. At the time, he was involved in many of Uweza’s activities, including art, dance, and soccer. Painting was new to

him when he joined, but it quickly became his focus and full-time job.

Wesley’s work centers on daily life in Kibera.  He draws inspiration from the people and moments around him, working from both memory and photographs. His art features faceless figures, a signature element that reflects the anonymity and overlooked stories of people living in informal settlements. His subjects often include women, children, and students. One of his current series, “The White Collar,” focuses on children in school uniforms walking through Kibera and the promises of a bright white collar job in the

future.

He works mainly with acrylic on canvas, but also experiments with oils and charcoal. His creative process usually begins with preparing the canvas, sketching the scene, and then building up shading and detail.  Wesley says art has brought him both freedom and opportunity. It helped fund his education and became a steady source of income. He is the topselling artist at Uweza Art Gallery and gives back by giving art classes to children at Uweza.   

His long-term goals include growing as a professional artist and supporting the next

generation of young artists in Kibera. He wants to help children discover their strengths through art, just as he did.