Artist profile ， Archive record

Leonard Ngure

Kenyan visual artist, painter and storyteller. His work explores the movement, colour and human stories of everyday life.

Born 1977 Nairobi, Kenya Painting Acrylic/ Canvas
Also known as Leonard Ngure / Lonaa
Training 1996–1998
Mentor Joseph Bertiers
Leonard Ngure

01 - Visual record

Artist photographs


02 - Introduction

The artist behind the stories


Leonard Ngure is a Kenyan visual artist whose paintings draw attention to people, places and rhythms of everyday life. Through layered compositions, expressive colour and social detail, his work turns familiar environments into visual narratives about community, movement and memory.


At a glance

artist's full name
Leonard Ngure
also known as
Leonard Ngure / Lonaa
born
1977
birthplace
Nairobi, Kenya
nationality
Kenyan
medium
Painting Acrylic/ Canvas
education
YMCA Shaun Moyo Institute, Nairobi
training
1996–1998
mentor
Joseph Bertiers
gallery watatu
Exhibiting artist
known for
Urban life, markets, crowds, everyday Kenyan scenes
notable exhibitions
Gallery Watatu, Goethe-Institut, Malindi Biennial, Banana Hill Art Gallery
active period
1996 to present

Biography

Born in 1977 and raised in Nairobi, Leonard developed an interest in art from an early age. The people, streets, markets and social encounters around him became an important source of visual material.

His artistic development included Art and Design studies and further training at YMCA Shauri Moyo. These experiences established technical foundations and connected him to wider artistic networks.

Mentorship associated with Joseph Bertiers contributed to Leonard’s development. His work evolved toward narrative compositions in which colour, movement and detail build a strong sense of place.

His career forms part of the broader story of contemporary Kenyan painting and the galleries, artists and cultural workers who created opportunities for creative practice and exhibition.

03 - Education

Education

1997 - 2001
He attended Mutuini Secondary school in Mutuini
2002 - 2004
He later Joined YMCA Shauri Moyo, Nairobi where he did a course for art and design
04 - Artistic practice

Artistic practice

Materials

Oil Paint, Acrylic, Canvas, Wood

Techniques

Brushwork, Layering, Blending

Working methods

Studio, Practice, Direct Painting, Mixed Media

Themes

Community Culture Everyday narratives Memory Social life Urban life

Subjects

Crowds Families Markets Streets Urban environments Workers
05 - Historical context

Gallery Watatu connection

Leonard Ngure was working at the 680 Hotel when he first learned about Gallery Watatu. Inspired by the opportunity, he visited the gallery carrying one of his small paintings to see if it could be sold. That painting became his first sale at Gallery Watatu, marking the beginning of his professional artistic journey. As he continued selling more works through the gallery, Leonard realized that art could become a sustainable livelihood. He remembers Gallery Watatu as an important platform that nurtured and supported emerging artists in Kenya.

06 - Oral history

Conversations with Leonard Ngure

Video 01

Leonard Ngure — Kenyan Artist Interview & Profile | Gallery Watatu & Diawara & Schaffner Archive

Explore the artist Interview of Kenyan visual artist and painter Leonard Ngure, presented as part of the Diawara & Schaffner Archive. This video introduces Leonard Ngure's artistic journey, background, education and training, artistic practice, selected…

Watch on YouTube →
07 - Artists & people

Relationships & networks

Kofi Osei

Kofi Osei

Gallery relationship
Joseph Bertiers

Joseph Bertiers

Mentor
08 - Exhibition history

Selected exhibitions

A record of key exhibitions that have showcased the work, vision and journey of the artist.

—

Gallery Watatu

Nairobi, Kenya
—

Goethe institute

Nairobi, Kenya
—

Banana hills Art Gallery

Banana Hill, Kenya
—

Karen Country club

—
—

International art biennale

Malindi
—

Museo del Castillo

Medellin, Colombia
2005

Brescia Italy

Italy
09 - Documentation

Archival materials & sources

  • Artist photographs
  • Exhibition catalogues
  • Invitations and posters
  • Artwork photographs
  • Press coverage
  • Letters and correspondence
  • Interview recordings and transcripts
  • Artist interview
  • Gallery archive materials
  • Published articles and reviews
  • Oral histories and personal recollections
10 - Selected Works

Works in the Archive

Diawara & Schaffner Archive

Preserving the history of Gallery Watatu and the artists who shaped its legacy.

This profile is part of a growing digital resource dedicated to preserving the history of Gallery Watatu and the artists, exhibitions, and communities that shaped its legacy.

Explore the Archive →