Personal Details
I was born in South Africa, 1971. From an early age I was exposed to art, artists and exhibitions. Although a beautiful country there was politically a conflict in values.
I later studied to become a teacher and taught various subjects including art. My art interest stayed alive through decorative painting but it wasn’t really until I got married and moved to Sweden in 2001 that I completed various courses in painting, drawing, croquet, graphical printing and pottery. In 2004 we moved to Kenya and I started to work with a group of Kenyan artists. Here I developed my technique of building up collages from various local materials, like sand, soil, hand made paper, jewellery and recently rusted metal sheets from Kibera slum in Nairobi.
Our group of (underground) artist broke away from all trust groups and NGO’s to build an independent group called Ya- Africa. I was involved with promotion and by raising money through the group exhibitions we built the website: www.artyaafrica.com.
Before 2004 I have participated in group exhibitions in South Africa and Sweden. In 2004 I took part in group exhibitions at the National Museum in Nairobi and the RAMOMA art gallery. In 2005 a solo collection of one year’s work at the Village Market Exhibition Hall, Windsor Hotel and Country Club, Tazama gallery an invitation to the East African Art Biennale and a group exhibition on Green Art involving artists who use recycled or natural materials. In September/October a solo exhibition in Stockholm at KB (Konstnärsbaren). In 2006 I am invited to two exhibitions on eco and cross cultural art in Oslo, this is in conjunction with a eco college and the Academy of Arts in Norway. Lastly a travelling exhibition in the UK with the Ya Africa artists.
My work is adventurous and experimental in the use of local materials from different parts of East Africa. I like to play with textures and natural pigments and it is often the materials that determines the outcome (not the original idea).
I regurlly compare the ancient art and cultures to our modern society, address some social issues regarding values and focus attention to our environment.
The end result is always surprising…but that is what I love the timeless journey and a different destination.
Leon Kühn
Email:kuhnleon@hotmail.com
Websites: http://artyaafrica.com/cgi-bin/leon.pl
http://southafrica.africancolours.net/leon/
hptt://www.leonkuhn.com/
