Longinos Nagila

Longinos Nagila, a dynamic visual artist based in Nairobi, Kenya, was born in 1986 in Busia, Kenya, and relocated to Nairobi the same year. Nagila's artistic journey took a significant leap forward with his first solo exhibition in Lecce, Italy, between 2009 and 2010, marking the beginning of his continued exhibition presence in Italy. Notably, he was among the artists featured at the Museo Africano in Verona, Italy, during 2012-2013 and participated in a filmmaking workshop by the Apulia Film Commission in Bari, Italy. In 2014, Nagila brought his artistic expression back to his home country with a solo exhibition at the Shift Eye Gallery in Nairobi.

Nagila's work is characterized by a diverse use of mediums including coffee, charcoal, acrylics, and prints, reflecting a rich tapestry of influences and inspirations. He credits the development of his unique visual language to the impact of renowned artists like Andy Warhol, John Baldessari, and Egon Schiele. Furthermore, Nagila's art is deeply influenced by early cinema, particularly the black and white films of Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, and Charlie Chaplin, which is evident in his use of black and white photos and negatives.

Currently, Nagila's work delves into themes of human relations and migration, exploring these complex subjects through his innovative use of materials and inspiration from various art forms and historical cinematic techniques. His evolving body of work continues to contribute significantly to contemporary visual art discourse in Kenya and beyond.

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