Every positive value has its price in negative terms... the genius of Einstein leads to Hiroshima. - Pablo Picasso Graphic Overtures brings together the perspectives of five artists on those things they personally regard as important to us as a society. These artists employ a variety of media in an exploration of subjects ranging from tradition and our use of technology, to our relationships with one another and the environment. It is an invitation to consider not just what we value, but how we arrive at and express these values. Brian Omolo uses illustration to interrogate the apparent disconnect between what we claim to value, and those things on which we actually expend our effort. He questions how we come to value something. Drawing on his knowledge of modern design, Jeff Muthondu creates lamps inspired by wildlife. His work acts like an illumination of our relationship with animals. Barbara Muriungi’s uses illustrated portraits and pattern work to put a modern twist on traditional patterns and adornment. She tackles the topic of material culture and looks at its evolution. Working with line, pattern, and color, David Maina interweaves text into his works on canvas and paper, commenting on interpersonal relationships, love and lust. Using pointalism, Maina weaves people and words to create a montage of emotion based on text. Musa Omusi’s graphic design influenced pieces use the imagery of light and flora to comment of the interaction of nature and the artificial, and the need to strike a balance between the two. He creates an installation around yin and yang and the value of balance and infinite reincarnation. _____________________________________ About the Artists: Brian Omolo is an illustrator and graphic designer. His work spans from political to urban themes. Jeff Muthondu is a coder and designer who is based at the iHub. He is interested in the intersections between design, art and technology. Barbara Muriungi is a motion designer, animator and photographer whose work has been featured extensively in Kenya and the US. David Maina is a young Kenya artist who works from Dust Depo. His style, pointalism, is influenced by Miguel Endara. Musa Omusi is an art director and illustrator. His work has been featured in Elle (South Africa) and highlighted by Design Indaba.