Peterson Kamwathi's 'Tabula Rasa' Examines Identity and Collective Life at NCAI

The Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI) presents 'Tabula Rasa', a solo exhibition by Kenyan artist Peterson Kamwathi. The show critically examines the concept of the 'blank slate'—a 17th-century theory that Kamwathi argues has been used to flatten and erase non-Western identities. Through drawing, installation, and mixed media, Kamwathi explores the tension between imposed categorization and the layered, negotiated nature of identity. He positions the individual at the center of historical, political, cultural, and economic intersections, while using objects like maps, monuments, and scripts to represent collective effort. Kamwathi emphasizes the role of repetition and ritual in group dynamics, viewing crowds as micro-institutions with hierarchies. Drawing remains central to his practice, valued for its directness and versatility. The exhibition runs until 23 August 2026 at NCAI in Kenya.