From the vibrant shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro to the bustling art scenes of the UK, Richard Gakonga’s brush tells stories that burst with colour, culture, and heart. What began as a boy’s playful experiments on mud walls has grown into a powerful journey inspiring classrooms and galleries alike. Roots in Rhythm and Colour

Gakonga was born in a small village near Mount Kilimanjaro, where he spent his early years helping his family on the farm. Life was simple, the days repetitive. But there was one moment he always looked forward to—those rare occasions when his father left the homestead for town. That’s when young Gakonga would sneak away from his chores and begin to paint.

Armed with plant dyes and seashells, he would decorate the mud walls of his father’s thingira, a traditional hut. What started as a childhood distraction quickly became a quiet obsession. He would lose himself in the shapes, the patterns, and the beauty of the Kenyan landscape: the fiery sunsets, the rustling banana trees, the distant beat of tribal drums.

He didn’t know it yet, but he was discovering his life’s calling.

“The magic of life always inspires me to capture it through colours,” Gakonga says.

Painting Life’s Dance

Raised in Kenya, Gakonga was inspired by the vibrant colours, dance, and music of his culture. He views every painting as a flowing story—every colour a moving word. His brush sets his spirit free, capturing everything from the melting golds of a sunset to the hot, pulsing colours of a warrior’s dance.

Creating art is pure pleasure for Gakonga, and he hopes that everyone who sees or owns his work feels that same joy. Though now based in London, he remains deeply connected to the warmth and vibrancy of Kenya through his art.

His joy for painting inspired him to share his gift widely. Over the years, he has conducted numerous workshops with schools and adults, watching with delight as those with little confidence transform blank paper into bursts of Kenyan sunshine and happiness.

Gakonga’s art has also been adapted into cross-stitch and tapestry kits by Anchor, a company he is proud to collaborate with, seeing his works as children spreading warmth and love to homes worldwide.

A Journey to the United Kingdom

In the mid-1990s, Gakonga relocated to the United Kingdom. In 2000, he earned a scholarship from Essex County Council to train as an artist in education, allowing him to bring his passion for creativity into over 300 schools across the UK.

Beyond teaching, Gakonga continues to create vibrant pieces that have featured in exhibitions and major festivals, including the Royal Overseas League Exhibition, WOMAD, Glastonbury Music Festival, and Ealing Jazz Festival. His versatility extends to book design, with a notable commission for Penguin Books on The Penguin Book of Modern African Poetry by Gerald Moore.

In 1997, his talent was recognised by Her Majesty the Late Queen Elizabeth II, who invited him for tea at Marlborough House—a remarkable honour for the humble Kenyan artist.

An Invitation to Dance

Gakonga believes that life itself is a dance to be enjoyed. Through every brushstroke, he invites us to join him, celebrating the vibrant, precious moments that colour our lives.

From a boy painting on mud walls to an internationally recognised artist and educator, Richard Gakonga continues to tell his story through art, inviting us all to see the world as a flowing, joyful dance.