“My travel from East Africa to the West was a good experience as it was the first in my life. I experienced our people in a more cultural way, some of our traditions were similar and others were differently shaped by religion since the country is 90% Islamic. Their spicy food and fish culture and traditional main sport of wrestling highlighted their authentic African spirit. I loved it.I came back rich in the African Spirit.
[…]
What AMA is doing with the artists is a powerful thing because the artist is the communities’ mirror. Empowering the artist with knowledge helps a community to bring unity in society and wisdom. My country faces tribalism as one of the vices followed with corruption. My travel and sharing with other artists helps me be more wiser in addressing such key issues in an artistic angle.”
Grant Year : 2015
Profile : Visual artist
Gender : M
Mobility project
Kevin Agwona (aka Bankslave) travelled from Nairobi to Dakar, Senegal, to partake in the FESTIGRAFF festival, Africa’s first and largest festival of graffiti and street art, which was held between April 10 and 19.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Mr. Agwona has been bringing important social messages to the walls of his city for over 15 years. Through the medium of aerosol graffiti, he aims to educate his fellow community members and inspire positive change as regards issues such as domestic violence, sexually transmitted diseases, politics, crime and sanitation.
Launched by Dakar-based association Doxandem Squad in 2009, FESTIGRAFF is Africa’s first and largest festival devoted to graffiti and street arts. Between April 10 and 19, 50 international artists joined 20 Senegalese artists to create new pieces and share their experiences through murals, conferences, workshops, panels and exhibitions. The festival is committed to fostering graffiti as a medium for developing urban culture and raising public awareness on critical contemporary social issues.
Session
May
Type of Project
Festival/biennale/fair
Departure : Nairobi, Kenya
Destination : Dakar, Senegal