Visual Arts

Afrofuturism in East African Visual Art: Beyond Wakanda

How East African artists are creating Afrofuturist visions that go beyond Hollywood stereotypes and imagine truly African futures.

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Wanjiku Editor
Sunday, 10 May 20265 min read1102 views
Afrofuturism in East African Visual Art: Beyond Wakanda

More Than a Trend

Afrofuturism has become a buzzword since Black Panther, but East African artists have been imagining African futures for decades. From Wangechi Mutu's surreal collages to Cyrus Kabiru's wearable sculpture, the region has a distinct take on what African futures look like.

The Nairobi Scene

Galleries like NCAI and Circle Art are showcasing artists whose work engages with technology, identity, and speculation. Michael Soi's satirical paintings critique power structures, while Bulinya Martyn's digital art imagines Kenyan cities reimagined through a futuristic lens.

Beyond the Aesthetic

True Afrofuturism isn't just about aesthetics — it's about agency. These artists aren't waiting for permission to imagine the future; they're building it. Their work asks: What if Africa had never been colonised? What will Nairobi look like in 2099?

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