The Nairobi Gallery has opened a major wildlife and wilderness art exhibition, showcasing Kenya’s rich natural heritage through more than 150 paintings and photographs by six contemporary artists.

The Exhibition, dubbed; ‘Wildlife and Wilderness’, officially opened, Monday, November 2, 2026, and will run until December 31, bringing together more than 50 paintings and over 100 photographs, depicting Kenya’s diverse landscapes, wildlife and natural ecosystems.

The works are by Frank Ajuma, Sandra Ateka, Reuben Anduvate, Ron Lukes, Wanjiku Nderitu and Gilbert Ouma, whose artistic contributions seek to strengthen the connection between conservation, cultural identity and the creative economy.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Director of Culture, Dr Evans Lagat, said Kenya’s wildlife and natural landscapes, were an integral part of the country’s cultural identity and national heritage.

He said photography and fine art, provide an opportunity for Kenyans to appreciate the country’s natural treasures, particularly those unable to travel to remote wildlife reserves and national parks.

Lagat commended the artists for bringing the beauty of the wilderness into the heart of Nairobi, saying their work offered the public an accessible platform to experience and appreciate the country’s biodiversity.

“Kenya is the land of great beauty, diverse cultures and rich heritage. Our natural heritage, our wildlife, our people and our cultural landscapes all form part of our common identity,” he said.

The exhibition was initiated by Peter Richer, who traced its inspiration to a visit to the Maasai Mara in 2012, where he developed a passion for documenting wildlife and landscapes through photography.

Richer said his early photographs captured the extraordinary beauty of Kenya’s wilderness, although some of his original artworks, were subsequently lost during the process of having them professionally developed.

The experience, however, became part of the journey that eventually inspired the exhibition.

The opening ceremony also featured remarks from Nairobi Gallery Curator, Anthony Odera, Linda Chao of Sena Gallery and Bernard Agwanda, a researcher at the National Museums of Kenya.

Ken Kimani, Director of Corporate Affairs at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, also joined conservation stakeholders in highlighting the importance of involving communities living alongside wildlife in conservation initiatives.

Lagat said communities, including the Maasai, had historically coexisted with wildlife and played an important role in protecting natural habitats.

However, he cautioned that conservation efforts would remain difficult, to sustain if communities bearing the cost of human-wildlife conflict did not receive tangible economic benefits.

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense for communities to be told to protect wildlife, while they see no benefits accruing from that,” he said.

He called on private conservancies to ensure a greater share of tourism revenues supported local development, while praising the government’s efforts to strengthen compensation for communities whose livestock and crops are destroyed by wildlife.

Beyond conservation, the exhibition also highlights the growing contribution of young artists to Kenya’s cultural and creative industries.

Lagat said the creative sector was increasingly attracting a younger generation of talent, challenging the traditional perception that major artistic platforms were dominated by established artists.

He noted that the government was pursuing legislative reforms through the proposed Creative Economy Bill, which seeks to establish a stronger framework for supporting artists, protecting intellectual property rights and formalising creative businesses.

The Nairobi Gallery, which has historical significance to the Ministry of Culture, provided a fitting venue for the exhibition, bringing together established and emerging voices in Kenya’s artistic community.

The exhibition will feature a change of artworks on December 1, while members of the public will have opportunities to interact with the participating artists on November 29 and December 5, between 10am and 4pm.

The Ministry of Culture has encouraged members of the public, schools and art enthusiasts to visit the gallery, support local artists through the purchase of their works and embrace the role of art in promoting wildlife conservation.

The exhibition is expected to strengthen appreciation of Kenya’s natural heritage, while providing a platform for artists to showcase their work and contribute to the country’s growing creative economy.

By Lilian Gichohi