Unsung heroes (1999) Painting by Titus Chege

BIOGRAPHY

Titus Kimani Chege is a Kenyan self taught fine artist from the central region who started his journey in the arts by sketching his teachers' caricatures while in primary school and secondary schools, this made lots of trouble for him.After school, he graduated into oils, water colour and acrylics in that order. He has also recently ventured into portrait painting in acrylics and pencil work.After completing formal education, he joined medical training college where he trained as a paramedic, after which he was employed in the civil service.He has participated in several joint exhibitions in the capital city of Nairobi, notably the then gallery watatu, gallery of contemporary art (kenya national museum), shelter afric and once at the British council.The rigours of professional engagement, family and social life took its toll on his art and relegated it to the back burner till later in life.He restarted his art towards the end of his medical career and doesn't intend to stop till God's time.

STATEMENT

I paint mostly in oils and acrylics on canvas, though I also do pencil drawing, both graphite and colour.it has been said that artists in all aspects are social commentators and this is true of me as well. As I put my brush on canvas, I connect with my inner self trying to tell my stories of life experiences the best way I know of expressing myself; through the powerful and persuasive social function of visual art, which challenges our understanding of the world we live in.My art is all about how we live, interact, love, hate, worship and more, woven intricately in my works, are also glimpses of personal life experiences and opinions.My paintings are inspired by day to day experiences that in many ways trigger a past memory, experience or other times an onspot incidence that joggle my artistic sense, translating into a mental image, quickly captured as a rough sketch, before finally finding its way onto the canvas. 

WORK DESCRIPTION

Expressionism, figurative, realistic and traces of abstract are all styles I have experimented with as inspiration flows.Colours are richly blended, creating depth and warmth while at the same time providing a vibrant background to the subjects. The texture is mostly polished and smooth making the works have a relaxed mood, though at times sad, depending on the subject matter I put on canvas. A natural sense of depth and space in the landscapes stands out on its own level.I normally prefer working on medium sized canvas since this makes me have more control but have started experimenting with larger pieces.I can never have enough of art and every day, progress work on every piece is a learning experience propelling my inner being into more creations.

• Nationality: KENYA
• Date of birth : 1963
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary Kenyan Artists