Ardhi Gallery Presents “Dust to Form”: A Three-Generation Charcoal Exhibition on Mentorship and Legacy

Nairobi, Kenya — May 6, 2025 — Ardhi Gallery is proud to present Dust to Form, a compelling exhibition that explores the rich and transformative journey of artistic mentorship through the elemental medium of charcoal on paper. Running daily from May 10 through June 1, 2025, this exhibition offers a profound visual narrative that spans three generations of artists, all bound by shared technique, trust, and lineage.

At the core of Dust to Form is the legendary Kenyan artist Patrick Mukabi (b. 1969), widely recognized as a foundational figure in East Africa’s contemporary art scene. Mukabi is joined by his former student Jimmy Kitheka (b. 1999), an emerging voice whose work reflects both reverence and innovation. Completing this intergenerational dialogue is a rising talent—Kitheka’s own student—whose inclusion marks the next chapter in this continuum of artistic exchange.

Working exclusively with charcoal and paper, the trio engages in a raw, expressive conversation through shadow, line, and gesture. Charcoal—both delicate and potent—serves as a metaphor for the transient yet enduring nature of artistic influence. In each piece, viewers can trace the subtle echoes of mentorship, where every smudge speaks of guidance, and every line holds the weight of passed-down knowledge.

More than an exhibition of technique, Dust to Form is a meditation on growth, legacy, and the unspoken bonds that tie teacher to student. It invites audiences to reflect on how artists evolve not in isolation, but through deeply human connections—how the dust of one generation’s effort can become the form of another’s vision.

Set within the intimate, contemporary space of Ardhi Gallery, Dust to Form offers visitors a rare glimpse into the alchemy of mentorship as both a personal and communal act of creation. It is a testament to the idea that while materials may be impermanent, the impressions they leave—on paper and on people—can last a lifetime.

For media inquiries or private viewings, please contact Ardhi Gallery

Event Details

Lines of Legacy
Dust to Form Exhibition
Charcoal Dialogue 

May 10 – June 1, 2025
@ Ardhi Gallery

• Charcoal on Paper
• Patrick Mukabi, Jimmy Kitheka, and student

Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM