Onesmus Okamar
Presentation
Born and raised in Teso-North, County Busia, Okamar Onesmus is now a multi-award-winning visual artist, specializing in painting and sculpture. His dream of becoming an artist was nurtured by his uncle Peter Elungat, who provided him with art materials, books and mentoring. Balancing schoolwork and art, he began his professional journey in 2012 when he first visited various art centers and galleries to gain more knowledge. He then met Maina Boniface, who introduced him to the art scene and presented his work to buyers. In 2014 he won his first Mask Prize as best in the painting category, later in 2016 he won another Mask Prize. In his work, he depicts issues that deal with self-realization, mental health, love, coexistence and unity, among other themes that concern and surround us in communities. He has participated in several art workshops, residencies and exhibitions both locally and internationally, including at the Saatchi Gallery and in Washington DC. French Onesmus' work is mainly collected by corporations, including I & M Bank, and local and international private collectors in the USA, UK, Spain, Asia and Australia. He works at the Kobo Trust Studio in Nairobi. A COLLECTION OF SOME OF THE EXHIBITIONS HE HAS PARTICIPATED IN. 2022 Group show, Mtaani 10 Exhibition, McKinsey Company, Nairobi; Group show, Art Salon, Kobo Trust Nairobi; Group show, Open Studio and Exhibition, Kobo Trust Nairobi. 2021 Group show, Open Studio and Exhibition, Kobo Trust Nairobi. 2019 Solo exhibition, New works, Photizo Art Gallery Nairobi. Group exhibition, McKinsey Company "MtaaniExhibition" Nairobi; Group exhibition, Affordable Art Show, Kenya National Museum Nairobi. 2018 Karen Country club exhibition; Duo exhibition, Pages of Life, Kobo Trust Nairobi; Group exhibition, Charity Art Sale Exhibition, Kobo Trust Nairobi; Group exhibition, Kenya Art Diary Launch Exhibition, Alliance Française Nairobi; Group exhibition, New work, Bonzo Art Gallery Nairobi. Group show 2017 Group show, ephemeral exhibition, Dusit D2 Hotel Nairobi. Group show Group show, The Kenya Artfair Sarit Centre Nairobi. Group show 2016 The Mask Prize Exhibition, Safaricom Centre Nairobi. Exhibition Group show, Kenya Art Buyers Weekend, Lavington Mall Nairobi. Exhibition Affordable show-Kenya National Museum Nairobi. The Manjano Art Competition Show Village Market. Group show 2015 The Untold exhibition, Safaricom Centre Nairobi. Group show 2014 The Mask Prize Exhibition, UON Nairobi. Exhibition Kenya Creative Week, UON Nairobi. Exhibition Group show, The Mask Prize Show, Saatchi Gallery, London. SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS 2016 : Winners Prize Category: Mask Prize. 2014: 1st Prize Painting Category. Prix du Masque. 3rd Prize General. Prix du Masque. PUBLIC COOPERATION COLLECTIONS. 2021 : I & M Bank - Two Paintings. 2022 : I & M Bank - Two Paintings
