Painting life in vivid colour, The Gallery’s David Wachania shares his story

Earning a living by first painting Coca-Cola billboards and then selling life insurance, Kenyan-born artist David Wachania has returned to his artistic roots years after downing his paintbrush, rediscovering his love for the arts in South Africa.

The 44-year-old Tongaat resident today manages The Gallery at The Studios, where he can often be found painting in his makeshift studio.

The Kenyan visited South Africa in 2002, spending 8 months in Bloemfontein.

He fell in love with the country and returned in 2003 for a sales conference in Durban where he met, whom he calls the ‘African Van Gogh’, Anthony Wakaba Mutheki, a fellow Kenyan and artist.

Anthony asked David to share some of his work with him, which Anthony later showed to his employer, a gallery owner. This landed David a job as a full-time artist while being mentored by Anthony.

Between 2004 and 2010 David also managed a number of galleries across the coast on an ad hoc basis, painting his heart out during the times he had no work and had to return to freelancing.

He managed a gallery at Ballito Junction for 2 years before it closed and he was again forced back into freelancing. He had by then succeeded in building a reputation locally, which catapulted him onto the Ballito art scene in 2019 after landing a big contract.

It was around this time that local artist, Jane Digby, offered him the management position at the Gallery at The Studios.

The life of the former graphic design student was not always an easy one, but with the advice and support of his grandparents, he managed to follow his dreams and turn his story into one of success.

“I absolutely love painting and the freedom that comes with it by expressing oneself,” he says.

The Gallery at The Studios will play host to the prestigious South African 2022 Landscape Artist Award exhibition which opens this Friday, February 11 at 6pm.

The awards exhibition and competition offers a total cash prize of R80 000, with first prize coming in at R40 000.

The 50 finalists have been chosen and their work will be on display at The Studios from Friday.

“We are thrilled and delighted to have been chosen to host this amazing exhibition,” said Gallery curator and judge, Jane Digby.

“Landscape art is a crucial, widely-practiced and far-reaching component of the visual arts repertoire. This exhibition shines the spotlight on the genre, celebrates the work and allows artists from around the country to engage and connect with one another,” she said.

The exhibition is set to run until March 21.

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