John Wangendo
I am a self taught artist originally from Kenya. My art journey started in April 2020 during the Covid pandemic lockdown as I sat pondering how to get out of my boredom. At the urging of my daughter, I decided to try my hand in art. Since I was a kid, I knew that I loved to draw. With no prior training in drawing, I did not know which direction I wanted my art to go. Soon it became evident that I wanted tell the story about my African people through my art.
My art not only tells the narrative about our rich cultures and traditions, but also about African kids who have to overcome so many hurdles throughout their young lives. Africa, a beautiful continent of 54 countries has over 3,000 tribes. My hope is to preserve some of the rich cultures from these tribes, cultures that are disappearing with the onset of the western world influences.
Group Exhibitions
Black,Indigeous and People of Color (BIPOC) art exhibition at the Evanston Art Center, Evanston IL. 2022/23; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) art exhibition at the Evanston Art Center, Evanston IL. 2023; Black History Month art exhibition at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston IL. 2023; BP Black History Month art exhibition, Chicago, IL. 2024.
Solo Exhibitions
The Gallery @ a+c architects, Skokie IL. 2024
Nominations
The Mayor’s Awards for the Arts by the City of Evanston, 2023
Email: Wangendojohn@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artwakbyjohn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.wangendo.1/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wangendo-38a94279/
Shop Evanston Made: Artwakbyjohn
In the News:
Pandemic sparks Skokie man’s mission back to art by educating about his heritage, by Andy Koval, WGN9,
Artist Photo: Heather Eidson, Evanston Made Member