Lamu of the Future

Richard Onyango (1968– ), born in Kisii, Kenya, is a visual artist who primarily works in painting but also creates sculptural models. He writes, tells stories from his life, and composes music. He is self-taught. Before becoming a recognised artist, he worked in an extraordinary range of professions – as a sign painter, bus driver, carpenter, fashion designer, musician, furniture maker and farmer. Two paintings by Richard Onyango in the collection of the National Museum in Szczecin, titled *Lamu of the Future*, present a utopian vision of the town of Lamu, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2001. Located on an island of the same name in south-eastern Kenya, Lamu is one of the oldest and relatively best-preserved settlements representing Swahili culture. This culture emerged from the blending of African, Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences. Lamu is known for its unique coral-stone architecture, narrow alleyways, richly decorated doors and ornamental stucco. As there are no motor vehicles on the island, transport and other heavy work is carried out using donkeys. In his visionary paintings, Onyango has modernised Lamu, showing it with airports, ports, shopping centres and crowds of people. He has transformed the small coastal town into a contemporary metropolis. Onyango’s work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale (2003) and at many key exhibitions shaping global reception of contemporary African art, including *When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting* at Kunstmuseum Basel and Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town (2023–2024), *100% Africa* at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (2006), *African Art Now* at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston (2005), and *Africa Remix* at Hayward Gallery in London, Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf (2004–2006). His solo shows have been held at MAMCO in Geneva, Salvatore Ala Gallery in New York City, and Fabbrica Eos in Milan. Many of his works are held in the prestigious Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC) in Geneva, founded by Jean Pigozzi. Richard Onyango also collects rare vintage cars, which he modifies, and he plans to turn this collection along with his art into a future museum in Malindi. Marlena Chybowska-Butler