born in 1945, Maseno, Kenya
Lives and works as a sculptor and painter in Maseno, Kenya
Since 1973 lecturer at the Maseno Teachers' College in Kenya
Since the eighties creator and leader of the Cultural Center "Esiepala" near Maseno in Kenya
Graphic study at the University of Nairobi
Teacher for 9 years in the Department of Fine Arts at the Kagumo College, Nyeri, Kenya
His family is a member of the Abamatsi tribe, they are known as "Master of clay works"
Artist Profil | Awarding | Exhibitions | Works in Commission | Publications | Museums - Collection | Kunstwerk des Monats 2012_07, 2013_09, 2014_12
Attracted the materiality, structure and colour grain of soapstone, this Kenyan sculptor is inspired to create the most extraordinary forms. Though Diang’a may deal with concrete subjects, he differs from many of his contemporaries engaged in figurative work by placing an emphasis on finding the ideal abstract form. In doing so, he explores the full range of possibilities offered by the stone: steadfastness and balance, positive and negative effects, light and dark areas produced by the form, the layering of colours and inclusions in the material.
1973 - B. A. Honours in Fine Arts
1977 - Paricipation at the Festival of African Culture in Lagos, Nigeria
1988 - Gallery Watatu, Nairobi, Kenia
1985 - „John Dianga. Paintings, Sculptures and Woodcuts“, Gallery Watatu, Nairobi, Kenia
1981 - Department of Culture, Nairobi, Kenia
1970 - Gallery Africa, Nairobi, Kenia
1969 - Paa Ya Paa Art Gallery, Nairobi, Kenia, März 1969
Group Exhibitions (Selection)
2008 - Abanyole Cultural Festival, Ebusakami High School, Kenia, 26. 12. 2008
2005 - „Visual Art Exhibition John Diang’a and Elkana Ongesa“, Kisumu Festival – Kisumu Museum, Kenia, 20. 5. – 2. 6. 2005
1997 - Ausstellung im National Museum Nairobi
1996 - „Kunst aus Ostafrika“, Kunst Transit, Berlin, Deutschland. 2. 11. – 8.12. 1996
1990 - "Wegzeichen - Kunst aus Ostafrika", Gruppenausstellung: Völkerkundemuseum Frankfurt/Main, Deutschland
1986 - „Art in Kenya“, Gallery Watatu und Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Kenia
1985 - Ausstellung der UN Jugoslawien, Oktober
Seit 1980 - Einzel- und Gruppenausstellungen in der Gallery Watatu, Nairobi, Kenia
1977 - „The Kenyan Visual Arts exhibition“ am Festival of Black World, Lagos, Nigeria, Januar - Februar
1974 - Open Air Ausstellung in Maseno, Kenia
1970 - „Nairobi Group“, Gallery Africa, Nairobi, Kenia
1981 - Sculpture for the United Nations, New York, USA
- Frieze at the Kenyatta Cultural Center, Nairobi, Kenia
- Gabriel, Alexandra, Zeitgenössische Malerei in Kenia, (Dissertation), Kunstgeschichtliches Institut, Universität Freiburg, 2001
- Ströter-Bender, Jutta, Zeitgenössische Kunst in der „Dritten Welt“, DuMont Buchverlag, tb 265, Köln, 1991
- Agthe, Johanna, Wegzeichen – Signs. Kunst aus Ostafrika 1974 – 89 – Art from East Africa 1097 – 89, Museum für Völkerkunde, Frankfurt/Main 1990
- Miller, Judith von D., Art in East Africa, Frederick Muller Ltd, London 1975
- Kisumu Museum, Kisumu, Kenya
- Museum der Weltkulturen, Frankfurt
- Bernd Kleine-Gunk, Fürth
- Kunst Transit Berlin
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John Obaso Diang'a, "Weight From Above", 1986
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John Obaso Diang'a, "Weight From Above", 1986
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John Obaso Diang'a, "What", 1988
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John Obaso Diang'a, "What", 1988
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John Obaso Diang'a, "The Sacred Bird", 1988
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