CHIWO OYUGI
Charcoal artist and painter
Charcoal artist and painter
Kenyan based multimedia visual artist assisting and under mentorship of Alan Sibour Oyugi at Rusty Gold by Kimpa Vita. Specialized in charcoal, graphite and paint currently expanding into tattoo artistry.
A quiet portrait of resilience. The subject’s weathered features and distant stare speak of lived experience, endurance, and the stories carried through time.
Strength and intelligence meet in a single gaze. This piece explores the raw presence of nature, balancing power with an almost human sense of reflection.
A celebration of innocence and joy. Capturing a fleeting moment of laughter, the piece reflects the purity and wonder found in childhood.
Charcoal on straw board
Armed Without Teeth explores the vulnerability of youth caught within environments shaped by conflict and survival. The composition presents young figures holding weapons that appear larger than themselves, creating a tension between innocence and imposed responsibility. Rendered in charcoal, the stark contrasts and textured surfaces emphasize the emotional weight of the scene. The title reflects the paradox of possessing symbols of power while remaining fundamentally exposed, questioning the social conditions that force children into roles they never chose.
Charcoal on brown paper
No. 8 is a portrait of my favorite Kenyan artist, Octopizzo. His music speaks about everyday life and motivates people to keep working hard despite challenges. Through charcoal, I aimed to capture his thoughtful character and the positive influence he has on his audience. The use of light and shadow emphasizes resilience, determination, and inspiration.
Charcoal on brown paper
Bob and Weave examines themes of protection, adaptation, and survival through the image of a figure wearing a gas mask. The title references the defensive movement used in boxing, suggesting a constant negotiation between threat and endurance. Executed in charcoal, the work combines sharp geometric forms with expressive shading to create a sense of tension and unease. The obscured face removes personal identity, transforming the figure into a symbol of contemporary anxieties surrounding conflict, environmental uncertainty, and the instinct to persevere under pressure.
Mixed Media
Bold, unapologetic, and full of energy. The vibrant backdrop contrasts with the raw expression, creating a portrait that celebrates individuality and fearless self-expression.
A study of focus, discipline, and determination. Frozen in a fighting stance, the subject embodies the balance between controlled aggression and unwavering resilience.
Charcoal and pastel on straw board
142cm x 112 cm
Inspired by the line between man and myth. The fractured features and piercing gaze suggest a warrior shaped by both triumph and struggle, carrying the marks of every battle fought within and without.
Charcoal and pastel on straw board
142cm x 112 cm
Charcoal and Chalk on Paper
A raw portrayal of emotion, identity, and transformation. The intense expression and scarification patterns speak to the stories carried on the body, reflecting strength born through struggle and the marks that shape who we become.
Charcoal, Chalk and Acrylic on Brown Paper
Bathed in warm golden tones, this piece captures the spirit of life under the desert sun. The subject's relaxed confidence and connection to the camel evoke themes of endurance, freedom, and harmony with the land.
Charcoal and acrylic brown paper
A celebration of cultural identity and beauty through the art of scarification. The detailed patterns become a visual language of heritage, resilience, and pride, while the subject's joyful expression brings warmth and humanity to the piece.
Title: "Silent Authority"
Charcoal on Paper
A striking portrait of a tiger, capturing the intensity, confidence, and quiet power of one of nature’s most formidable predators. Through bold contrasts and fine detail, the piece draws the viewer into its unwavering gaze, embodying strength, focus, and untamed beauty.
Painting
Title: "Majestic Presence"
Acrylic on Canvas
A bold expression of strength, wisdom, and resilience. Through vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes, this elephant emerges as a symbol of power and grace, commanding attention while reflecting the beauty and spirit of the wild.
"Echoes of Heritage"
A celebration of African heritage, strength, and identity. Set against a vibrant backdrop of color and energy, the subject stands as a symbol of resilience, pride, and the enduring connection between tradition and self-expression.
Acrylic on Canvas
A vibrant celebration of joy, culture, and movement. The flowing fabric and layered beads create a sense of rhythm and energy, while the subject’s smile captures a moment of freedom, pride, and connection to tradition
This piece explores personal growth as a living process. The flowers become more than a background—they symbolize the environments, experiences, and relationships that shape who we become.
Duality
Created using a modified tattoo coil machine fitted with a biro pen, this piece merges two worlds of artistic expression. A Rastafarian figure transforms into a skull, symbolizing the coexistence of life and death, spirit and mortality. The unconventional medium introduces the raw, rhythmic marks characteristic of tattooing while remaining rooted in traditional drawing. By repurposing a tool designed to leave permanent marks on skin, the work reinforces its central theme: that all living things exist between creation and impermanence.
Medium: Biro pen on paper, applied using a modified tattoo coil machine.