Circle Art’s last show of the year is Dry Spell by acclaimed Kenyan sculptor Dickens Otieno – his intricate and shimmering tapestries are woven from scrap metal and aluminium cans
HIs works use and draw attention to the potential beauty in objects that would otherwise be dismissed as useless, and discarded. Aluminium cans are shredded and woven into sculptural fabrics in a process informed by the weaving of natural materials such as papyrus, raffia or palm that he observed growing up.
Otieno’s mother was a tailor and he spent many hours in her workshop amongst lessos and kitenges, whose colours and patterns have since influenced his aesthetic. This engagement with textiles grows from an interest in the way pattern, colour and iconography are used to imbue functional objects with meaning and identity.
Dry Spell, which runs from 18th November to 4th January, is a new solo presentation by Otieno, his third solo exhibition with Circle following Mabati Tailor in 2020 and Trails in 2023. Since moving to Korompoi, Kitengela in January 2026, he has continued in his close observation and responsiveness to the landscape and culture he inhabits.
From the urban landscapes and travels between Nairobi and Migori that informed his 2023 exhibition Trails, Dickens now turns his attention towards the landscape and nomadic pastoral Masai community in Korompoi. Reflecting the seasonal shifts and the consequent effects on the landscape in his characteristic meticulous weaving of shredded aluminium, Dickens offers new textural explorations and stories.
Circle Art is East Africa’s leading contemporary art gallery and is located at Victoria Square, Riara Road, Lavington (close to Junction Mall) Opening hours are 10 am – 5 pm on weekdays and 12 pm to 5 pm at weekends – or by appointment. Telephone +254 (0)790 289991 or email [email protected]
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