Watercolour, colour pencil and charcoal on watercolour paper, 53.5cm by 38cm
This work reflects the contradiction of our time: the desire for ecological balance and human dignity alongside the persistence of systems that prevent them. Using the visual tension of a circle within a square, the piece explores a contemporary landscape shaped by displacement, digital disruption, and widening inequality.
The circle represents the fluid realities we can no longer ignore—climate change, water scarcity, and the movement of displaced people. These crises are interconnected and continuous, defying the rigid boundaries of maps and borders. The circle symbolizes motion, the infinite, and the spiritual, pointing toward a shared and evolving human condition.
In contrast, the square represents the work we often avoid: confronting and transforming rigid political borders and outdated social systems. Inspired by Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square, the forced encounter between these shapes captures the tension of our era. The work invites viewers to reconsider inherited structures and imagine systems capable of holding the complex realities of our shared future.
Nadia Wanjiru, is a visual artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Her artistic foundation is a mix of self-taught exploration and formal training, which she solidified through an arts and design program in high school and later at Kenyatta University, complemented by various workshops. A pivotal moment in her career came in 2022 when she visited Seven Artists Collective; this led to a significant artistic connection mentored by Onyis Martin and Paul Njihia. Since then, Nadia has showcased in multiple exhibitions, such as her first open studio in June 2024 and, more recently, the New Wave group exhibition at the One-off Contemporary Gallery.
Nadia's work is deeply influenced by human interaction, cultural differences, and the power of location. She delves into the complexities of human emotion and behavior by focusing on quiet moments. Nadia explores how people manage to conceal their feelings, creating a sense of intimate vulnerability