How The Graffiti Girls Kenya Use Public Art to Shine a Light on Gender Based Violence

An artists’ collective in Nairobi, Graffiti Girls, is using their talent to send powerful messages. On the exteriors of community and cultural centers across the greater Nairobi area, they have been creating bold, colorful graffiti to bring attention to some of the area’s most complex problems, such as gender based violence. Twenty-two-year-old Graffiti Girl artist Njeri Wahome, who lives in Langata, Nairobi, retaliated that most women artists are not taken seriously as they are seen as “women” instead of artists. Nzilani, who goes by yvonne-nzilani, said being a female graffiti artist in a predominantly “patriarchal society” is challenging but she has always worked hard on her craft. “I do it for the passion I have. I want people to have hope once they see my murals on the streets or in the creative hubs, Nzilani said.” The mural can fail to impact someone immediately, but there comes a time when that mural will have an impact on someone’s life.

SOURCE: OKAYAFRICA