NCAI’s Rosslyn Riviera art space in Nairobi is currently presenting a retrospective of Chelenge Van Rampelberg’s artistic work, entitled “The Long Way Home“. This contemporary exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of the artist’s creations that have marked her journey as a contemporary actress. Until February 17, 2024, art lovers are invited to discover the captivating world of Chelenge Van Rampelberg through this retrospective exhibition.
Born in 1961 and raised in Kericho, Kenya, Chelenge Van Rampelberg began her career in painting and sculpture in 1984, without formal art training. Her daily upbringing exposed her to indigenous craft practices, which served as the foundation for her artistic development. As a self-taught contemporary artist, she enriched her skills through active participation in artists’ workshops, notably at Galerie Watatu, the Ngecha Artists’ Association and the French Cultural Centre in Nairobi, where she trained in printmaking and sculpture.
Now recognized as a renowned sculptor and printmaker, Chelenge Van Rampelberg lives and works in Tuala, on the border of Nairobi National Park. With a 40-year career under her belt, she has created outstanding works in a variety of media, including painting, printmaking and sculpture. “The Long Way Home” represents her first retrospective exhibition, unveiling her entire artistic career. This presentation offers an in-depth insight into the artist’s artistic methods and the themes that motivate her creative expression, such as family, motherhood, the connection with nature and the position and power of women in society.
The Kenyan artist draws inspiration from her personal experiences and memories to create works that reflect human behavior and the vulnerability at the heart of the human condition. The exhibition “The Long Way Home” offers a visual immersion in the evolution of Chelenge Van Rampelberg’s practice and creativity, from her beginnings in oil painting on paper and wood sculpture in the mid-1980s, to her interest in printmaking. This transitional stage in her career began after she took part in a printmaking workshop at the French Cultural Centre in Nairobi, organized by the Watatu gallery in 1992, and contributed to her commitment to this technique, for which she has gained recognition.
As a masterful storyteller, Chelenge Van Rampelberg weaves narratives deeply rooted in her own life experiences. Her artistic approach seamlessly navigates between meticulous observation and abstract interpretation, allowing her creations to serve not only as personal chronicles, but also as profound reflections on the circumstances of our existence. “The Long Way Home” offers visitors the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the contemporary artist’s deductions, while exploring her artistic career and singular creative universe.