What Onesmus Okamar has faced since childhood is nothing short of hardship. His mother left Uganda while seven months pregnant with him, returning to live with her parents in Kenya.
Raised in humble circumstances, he dropped out of high school multiple times due to lack of fees. Finishing his education was as much an act of persistence as it was divine intervention.
These experiences shaped him into a stoic, reflective artist, with a profound appreciation for femininity, simplicity, and inner strength.
Now based in Nairobi, Okamar lives simply and speaks plainly. His current solo exhibition, Archives of My Soul, at House of Friends Art Gallery in Kibera, opens a window into the philosophies that have emerged from his lived experiences.
“Something Grew When We Weren’t Looking,” an oil pastel painting by Onesmus Okamar, on display during the Archives of My Soul exhibition at House of Friends Gallery, Kibera, Nairobi, on June 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
The collection honours muted tones, thoughtful smiles, and full-bodied depictions of women. These choices offer a striking contrast to the quiet weight he carries as a man shaped by adversity.
“I realised that it’s when you hit rock bottom—when people think there’s no value left in you—that you can truly look within and find the strength to go on,” Okamar says.
He believes modern life avoids introspection, with the distractions of social events masking the deeper moments that define our growth.
For him, hardship is not just a trial but a teacher—one that prompts self-evaluation, gratitude, and prayer. His paintings invite viewers into that same process of reflection, helping them reconnect with the raw, often-overlooked realities of life.
Okamar approaches his art with deliberate simplicity. The works in Archives of My Soul are rooted in personal experience, spanning from his childhood to the present. A recurring motif in the exhibition is the image of women sitting on low, wide benches—symbols of waiting and stillness, mirroring his own periods of quiet struggle.
Oil pastel paintings by Onesmus Okamar, on display during the Archives of My Soul exhibition at House of Friends Gallery, Kibera, Nairobi, on June 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
“It’s in those quiet, uncertain moments that the unexpected happens,” he reflects.
Throughout the exhibition, male figures appear only twice. The rest of the portraits centre women—strong, contemplative, grounded. They sit on boulders illustrated in a distinctive cubic pattern, their forms at once monumental and tender. His affinity for female subjects stems from their symbolic role in nurturing both individuals and society.
“I chose women because they embody growth and nurturing. In African society, women often raise the children, and they’re also more effective communicators. I wanted these messages to travel quickly, and women were the best vessels,” he explains.
Colour is another form of storytelling in Okamar’s work. Eschewing the vibrant palettes he once favoured, he now leans into dull, earthy hues—burnt reds, oranges, and heavy browns—that envelop the gallery in a dusky, introspective atmosphere. Even the smiles in his portraits feel weighed down by the tones, textured with a subtle weariness that hints at pain beneath grace.
“I call these colours ‘gay and grounded.’ They reflect comfort—simple comfort—as one waits for something better,” he says.
After 15 years as a full-time artist, Okamar is increasingly drawn to psychology and counselling. He sees his work as deeply intertwined with emotional and mental wellness.
“I talk about things people feel but don’t speak of. Most art today leans towards abstraction to avoid the burden of confronting reality. But art should have purpose—it should speak to the soul and stand the test of time.”
His work draws inspiration from two sources: his day-to-day life and his faith. He credits his uncle, the renowned painter Peter Elungat, with igniting his artistic passion.
“Sometimes Kindness Has Fur,” an oil pastel painting by Onesmus Okamar, on display during the Archives of My Soul exhibition at House of Friends Gallery, Kibera, Nairobi, on June 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
“He used to come paint in the village. Watching him sparked something in me, and I’ve nurtured it ever since.”
Okamar is part of a rare breed—artists with a gritty, resilient spirit who express their truths in gentle, evocative tones. His women—seated or reclined on unyielding boulders—speak to the tension between softness and survival. They embody the paradox of a soft life lived on a hard surface.
Archives of My Soul runs until August 3, 2025. The exhibition is curated by Santana Sino and Jamey Ponte. Prices range from Sh30,000 to Sh350,000.
