The Holmes à Court Gallery Presents
The opening of the tiny gallery on 8th August 2025, at Afrika.House, Hardy
Holmes a Court Gallery, Afrika.House, Hardy
hodi@afrika.house
+254 725 219 852
https//afrika.house/
captured on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 2:02 PM
Catalogue Introduction
This catalogue presents a collection of some of renowned collection of images from photographer Mory, Khalid Shatta, CRAE Andrew Chege and previously unseen work from Paul Onditi.
On the Side of the Container…
The words “I think art is nice” are proudly painted across the gallery’s side. They come directly from the front door of the Holmes à Court Gallery in Perth, Western Australia, and reflect Janet Holmes à Court’s uniquely unpretentious approach to art — both exhibiting it and enjoying it. She credits the phrase to an art graduate, Ben Jones, who, when asked to write an artist statement for a catalog, turned in a single sentence: I think art is nice. So do we.
Mory
Born in 1996 in Algineena, a city in West Darfur, Sudan, Mory’s upbringing unfolded in Aljazirah state. A self-taught photographer, he embarked on his artistic journey through phone photography. His creative canvas draws inspiration from the interplay of skin tones, light dynamics, and intricate patterns. He attributes his perception of colors and patterns to growing up within a family that owns a fabric business in Medani. His photographic narratives delve into deeply personal themes encompassing familial history, masculinity, trauma, love, and friendship. Sharing his creations on social media platforms sparked immediate interest, leading swiftly to awards and well-deserved recognition. Despite his frequent movement between Medani, Khartoum, and Cairo for family business purposes, Mory found himself inadvertently confined to Medani when the conflict erupted. This period became a poignant juncture for him to document the reverberating impact of war on both himself and the displaced people in the region.
Awards:
Winner of the 2022 East African Photography Award Single Image category
Untitled-[#25 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A4 = $150 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#24 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A4 = $150 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#20 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A2 = $400 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#21 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A2 = $400 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#13 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A4 = $500 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#15 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A4 = $500 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#10 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A4 = $150 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#12 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A4 = $500 (as seen in exhibition)
Untitled-[#19 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A3 = $800
A2 = $1,500 (as seen in exhibition)
A0 = $2,000
Untitled-[#18 in the exhibition Textile Portraiture, Nairobi, April 2025]
A2 = $1,500 (as seen in exhibition)
Khalid Shatta
Born in 1989, Khalid is a Norwegian-Sudanese Visual Artist using painting as his primary form of creative expression.
Khalid Shatta was born in Nuba mountains, Sudan but had to relocate to Khartoum early in his life due to conflict. He started drawing early on and despite challenges he was able to study he was able to study at the Sudan University for Sciences and Technology’s Fine and Applied Arts faculty making him the first person from his family to study at university.
One of his first projects was taking pictures at his home place, Nuba mountains. There, Shatta was inspired by the intimate connections between humans and nature along with children’s innocence and childhood regardless of the difficult circumstances of their upbringing. In Sudan, Shatta also worked with organisations such as Save the Children, youth forums and efforts to integrate child soldiers and South Sudanese in Sudan.
Gods in Action is a perspective on how we represent the divine through art, craft, music, and dance. As a point of departure, I focus on indigenous communities in different parts of the world— one of which is my own, in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan.
I explore how these expressions are shaped by the environments we live in, how they differ, and what connects them. This is an invitation to journey from the Nile to the Oceanic communities of the Pacific, and beyond.
Through this exploration, I examine how the divine is expressed and experienced in our surroundings, rituals, and creative practices. I also reflect on the belief systems that allow us to conceptualize the divine—and how these expressions resonate far beyond the boundaries of individual communities.
God In Action (1) - 2020
Ink on paper, 100 × 75 cm (43.3 x 29.5 in)
USD 2050 KES 264,450
God In Action (2) - 2020
Ink on paper, 100 × 75 cm (43.3 x 29.5 in)
USD 2050 KES 264,450
God In Action (6) - 2019
Acrylic and spray-paint on paper, 75 × 110 cm (29.5 x 43.3 in)
USD 3050
KES 394,450
This piece is part of a collection produced to expess the artist’s relationship with his mentor and inspiration. Hussein Gamaan, who was one of Sudan’s most prominent artists and passed away after Shatta migrated to Europe.
Andrew Chege
Born in 1996 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, Andres is an artist whose passion for painting was clear from an early age. His journey from a gifted child to a visionary artist has been marked by a vibrant portfolio and a distinct style that have captivated audiences worldwide. Andrew’s work under CRAE (Creative Real Artistic Energy) has been widely exhibited, with his richly layered, vivid paintings gaining rapid acclaim and earning him numerous awards. His art has attracted dedicated admirers, both locally and globally, including prominent collectors and major corporate partners such as the United Nations (2019), Sanlam (2020), I&M Bank (2020–2022), and The Book Bunk. His studio is not only a hub for his creations but also a respected mentoring ground where he guides art interns from top universities, fostering the next generation of talent.
A new dawn
Acrylic on Canvas, 26 x 30 cm
A fresh new day, full of possibilities and hope towards fulfilling our dreams.
Let's go home
Acrylic on 4-layer Plexiglass , 1ft × 1ft
50,000 KSH
This is a scene from an early foggy morning after a long night of partying with my friends. I could barely keep my eyes open on my uber ride home. However, the fog really contributed to my overall view...very hazy patches here and there but extremely lovely to view.
Everyday
Acrylic on 4-layer Plexiglass , 1ft × 1ft
50,000 KSH
My studio is located in a unique place. (Ruiru) There are so many unnamed and informal routes you may use to access it. From time to time I like to switch the ones I use just for the fun of it. This particular scene apparently became one of my favourites.
Mesmerising Transformation
Acrylics on Canvas, 45 x 45 cm
48,000 KSH
Some Sunsets are breathtaking. Basking or driving into one is very therapeutic. Beautiful seasons of life my come to an end....but there are always more splendid ones to come.
Isolated Solace
Acrylics on canvas, 25 x 25 cm
16,500 KSH
At times we find peace by drawing away from others...May be you've travelled alone to a new city, or just taking a solo trip. When life gets overwhelming I like to take a step back and recharge. This inspiration is drawn from lake Nakuru...a famous tourist destination in Kenya.
Isolated Solace 2
Acrylics on canvas, 250 x 50 cm
50, 000 KSH
There's something so serene and relaxing about being in nature; especially surrounded by a large water body and a breeze slicing through palm trees. After a long day I'd love to have a calming piece in my home to sooth me through the evening.
Paul Onditi
Paul Onditi (b. 1980, Kenya) is a contemporary artist based in Nairobi, known for his distinctive mixed-media approach that explores themes of identity, technology, and environmental change. His work is recognized for its intricate layering of materials and its thought-provoking engagement with global issues.
In 2000, Onditi moved to Germany, where he studied at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Offenbach am Main. After a decade of artistic exploration in Europe, he returned to Nairobi in 2010, becoming part of a new generation of African artists gaining international recognition. His work has since evolved into a complex visual language that bridges traditional and digital techniques.
Onditi’s artistic process is highly experimental and labor-intensive. Using digital polyester inkjet plates as his primary surface, he integrates materials such as filmstrips, transferred images, caustic acid, and oil paint to construct layered, multidimensional compositions. His signature motif—an enigmatic, solitary figure—navigates these abstract landscapes, symbolizing the individual’s place in a rapidly shifting world. His earlier works depicted the chaotic urbanization of modern cities, while his more recent pieces explore broader themes of fragmentation, digital consciousness, and environmental decay. Vivid bursts of color—orange, cobalt, and viridian—underscore pressing global concerns such as climate change, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources.
Onditi’s work has been exhibited widely, with solo and group shows in Kenya, Germany, and beyond. His pieces have been featured in major international art platforms, including Bonhams’ Africa Now auctions in London (2013, 2014) and the first auction dedicated to Contemporary East African Art in Nairobi (2013). He has also participated in the Ernst & Young Auction at the Museum für Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt and was selected for a solo presentation at VOLTA New York in 2016.
With his ever-evolving approach and unique artistic vision, Paul Onditi continues to push the boundaries of contemporary African art, offering a compelling reflection on the intersection of humanity, technology, and the environment.
Days of my life series
Small (21cm x 29.7cm)
Medium: Mixed media (ink, graphite, oil, and wash) on archival, acid-free, heavyweight cotton rag paper
Support: 100% cotton, cold-pressed, approx. 300gsm (140lb or heavier)
Price: USD 500 (Diptych @ USD 1,000)
Days of my life series
Medium (29.7cm x 42cm)
Medium: Mixed media (ink, graphite, oil, and wash) on archival, acid-free, heavyweight cotton rag paper
Support: 100% cotton, cold-pressed, approx. 300gsm (140lb or heavier)
Price: USD 750 (Diptych @ USD 1,500)
Sporadic 1
Large (112cm x 140cm)
Medium: Mixed media (digital transfer, oil paint, charcoal, coffee, and ink) on digital polyester film
Support: Semi-rigid, translucent polyester substrate (archival-quality, non-absorbent)
USD 15,000
Thank You for Visiting The Holmes à Court Tiny Gallery
All the images in this brochure are copyright of the artist. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written notice of the artists