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Contemporary Kenyan art
Carol Lees – Curator & Director, One Off Contemporary Art Gallery
What exactly is it that you do?
As the Director and Curator of One Off Contemporary Art Gallery in Nairobi, I represent around 70 artists, most of whom are Kenyan. We work on a consignment basis and usually hang two solo exhibitions each month in our galleries. I select the work, curate the shows, and manage all the sales and accounts. There’s a little too much on the maths side for my liking — but the eye candy that surrounds me more than makes up for it.
Why do you do it?
I have a design background and have always loved fine art. I actually wanted to go to art school, but my mother encouraged me to do something more practical — something I could use to support myself. So in the end, I found my own path into the art world. It’s an extraordinary privilege to be surrounded every day by the work of such outstanding artists.
The art market in Kenya is extremely small, and we’re often the only outlet for the creatives we represent. That’s something I think about constantly. I worry that many of our artists would struggle to feed their families if the gallery were to close.
What is it really like, day to day?
I love that art is such a leveler. We appreciate it together, without judgement. At our exhibition openings, people from all walks of life rub shoulders — from metal welders on the side of the road to ministers and ambassadors.
Carol Lees
Curator & Director
One Off Contemporary Art Gallery
Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate, off Limuru Road, Nairobi City, Kenya
+254 722 521870
carol@oneoffcontemporaryart.com
www.oneoffcontemporaryart.com
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