The Nairobi Art Gallery is situated next to Nyayo House at the intersection of Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway. The structure is located near Kenya’s geographic center, from which distances to all points of the nation, the continent, and eventually the entire world, were calculated.
The historic structure that houses it was constructed in 1913 and served as the Old PC’s office building. It is jokingly referred to as “Hatches, Matches, and Dispatches” because of the births, weddings, and deaths that were registered there. The Murumbi African Heritage collection, which consists of historic sculptures, paintings, and daily objects from diverse African cultures, has been transformed into a museum with a permanent collection. Joseph and Sheila Murumbi, whose biography may also be found in one of the galleries, gathered these.In addition, the museum hosts exhibitions by both local and international artists.
The Nairobi Art Gallery Attractions
1.The Murumbi African Heritage Collections
The Nairobi Gallery now has objects, works of art, books, jewelry, postal stamps, textiles, and furniture collected by Joseph and Sheila Murumbi, two of Africa’s greatest private collectors. Their goal was to maintain, safeguard, and advance African culture in all of its manifestations. The Murumbi African heritage collection exhibition at the Nairobi Gallery is on display in various galleries with various narratives; a collection of books, textiles and costumes, jewelry, African artefacts, the Murumbi home, and finally the pan African postage stamp collection, which is regarded as being second only to the queen of England in importance.
2. Pioneer Art Gallery
The National Museums of Kenya seek to support artists by showcasing their work, and this building contains an art gallery that is dedicated to this goal. Every three months, this facility hosts temporary art exhibitions by established and up-and-coming Kenyan and international artists. There are also photographs of some of the pioneering African painters who, despite all difficulties, began their artistic careers in the 1960s. Magdalene Odondo, ExpenditoMwembeKibula, Elkana Ongesa, Jack Katarikawe, Richard Onyango, John Ondochameny, Francis Nnaggenda, Sanaa Gateja, Accent Soi, Geraldine Roberts, NaniCroze, and Yony Waite are just a few of these performers.
3. Colonial Safes
Two historic safes that were used by the colonial authorities and haven’t been opened since they left are kept at the Nairobi Gallery.
4. Architectural Design
The Nairobi Gallery is a prime example of Victorian architecture, with natural stone pediments, friezes, niches, and columns adorning the building’s facade. The original entry goes into an octagonal dome chamber (point zero) covered with a lovely dome from the roundabout. The rooms that surround the central area expand from it and are split into two wings. The walls have a smooth line plaster finish, teak wood windows and doors, and some ceilings have designs.
5. Point Zero
The building’s original entrance leads to the exact spot where all distances to all points in the nation were calculated. Point zero is represented by the center’s dark spot.
Nairobi Gallery Opening Hours
The gallery opens from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm daily including Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays.
