I’m a Multidisciplinary Artist

Nicholas Odhiambo Mboya (b. Kisumu, Kenya), also known as Nikomambo, is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Hamburg, Germany. He holds a diploma in Fine Arts and Design from Mwangaza School of Fine Arts (2015) and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the Hamburg University of Fine Arts (HFBK).

Beginning his practice as a painter, Nikomambo has since expanded into mixed media, working across photography, text, found objects, and sculptural installations. His work explores complex intersections between Africa and Europe—particularly Kenya and Germany—engaging with themes such as religion, economy, language, land, and identity politics. Through this lens, he investigates recurring patterns and habits that shape cultural and traditional norms across these regions.

Nikomambo’s practice is rooted in ontological inquiry and often takes the form of graphic compositions, kinetic sculptures, and site-specific installations. He has participated in numerous exhibitions, residencies, and workshops both in Kenya and internationally.

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Date of birth                1992 Nyando Kisumu, Kenya

Citizenship                   Kenyan

Studies


Since 2023                   Currently undergoing a master's in fine arts at Hochschule für Bildende Künste (HFBK), Hamburg Germany.

2019 – 2023                Bachelor’s in fine arts, Hochschule für Bildende Künste (HFBK), Hamburg Germany,

2012 – 2014                Diploma in Fine Arts, Mwangaza School of Fine Art, Kisumu Kenya, Certificate in painting, Drawing, Sculpture and Graphic Design

 

Professional Experience

2024 Currently Assisting Prof Astrid Mania at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste (HFBK), Hamburg Germany, supporting her research project “TIAA - The International Alumni Archive”, a website that aims to focus more on the history of the HFBK’s international students.

2022/23                        Assisted Prof Annika Larsson at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste (HFBK), Hamburg Germany

2023                              Supervised Michel Majerus “Data Streaming” Exhibition, Kunstverein Hamburg Germany

2022                              Supervised ‘The Mystery of Banksy’ Exhibition Hamburg Germany

2022                              Library Archive assistant for Dr. Andrea Klier at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste (HFBK), Hamburg Germany

2021                              Bookshop assistant for Steffen Oestreich at Sauter und lackmann fachbuch handlung, Hamburg Germany

2014/13/12                 Visual Art Workshop instructor in partnership with Kisumu Artist for Children (KACP) Kisumu Kenya with support from the DEN GRI Foundation

Selected residencies

2025 Art & Dialogue - Jordan National Gallery, Amman Jordan courtesy of European Union Delegation in Jordan

2019                             Untethered Magic, Nairobi Kenya

2017                             Airbrush Residency, Brush Tu Art Studio Nairobi Kenya courtesy of the Danish embassy

Selected workshops attended

2022/23/24 Mixed media workshop, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2022/23                       Ceramic workshop, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2021                          Virtual Reality Workshop/seminar with Dorianne O’Malley. HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2021                              Plastic workshop, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2020                              Block print workshop, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2019                             Block print workshop, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2018                             Atwork ”I Had a Dream” chapter 12, Makerere Art Gallery, Kampala Uganda, courtesy of the Moleskine Foundation

2017                             Wood Cut Print, Brush Tu Art Studio, Nairobi Kenya

2017                             Etching and Aquatint, Kamwathi Art Studio, Nairobi Kenya

Solo exhibition

2018                            Pedagogy of Oppression, Alliance Francaise, Nairobi Kenya courtesy of Amnesty International Kenya

Selected group exhibition

2025 Dialogue, Jordan National Gallery, Amman Jordan

2024 9 TO 5 - EINE FRAGE DER ZEIT (A QUESTION OF TIME), ICAT HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2024 Politics of Love, Kunst Haus, Hamburg Germany

2024 Passage, Deichtorhallen (Sammlung Falckenberg) , Hamburg Germany

2024 Academy Selection I 2024, Galerie Kellermann, Düsseldorf Germany

2024 Transitions, The space, Hamburg Germany

2024                     Jahresausstellung, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2023                            Thank You for Having Us, Frappant, Hamburg Germany

2023                            Graduate Show 2023: Unfinished Business, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2023                            Lass Das, Ich Hass Das, Tangente, Vasenthien Germany

2023                            Jahresausstellung, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2022                            Hiscox Prize Exhibition, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2022                            Jahresausstellung, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2021                            Fluctoplasma Festival Strike – Slip exhibition, Thalia Theater, Hamburg Germany

2021                            Immer.Wieder.Widerstand (always.Again.Resistance), Museum am Rothenbaum, Markk, Hamburg Germany

2021                            Jahresausstellung, HFBK, Hamburg Germany

2019                            Kenya Art Panorama, Alliance Francaise de Nairobi, Kenya

2019                            A Glimpse of East Africa, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria

2018                           Stranger Times, Circle Art Agency, Nairobi Kenya

2018                            Atwork ”I Had a Dream” chapter 12, Makerere Art Gallery, Kampala Uganda, courtesy of the Moleskine Foundation

2018                           Generation Y, Retro Africa, Abuja Nigeria

2018                            Sanaafest, Kerry Packer Civil Gallery, South Australia

2017                            Proximity to Power, Circle Art Agency, Nairobi Kenya

2016                            wasanii Kenya Art Fair, Nairobi Kenya

2015                           Essence, Nairobi Kenya

2015                            Kenya Arts Diary 2016

Nominations

2022                     Hiscox Prize. HFBK, Hamburg Germany

 

Grants

2024 Reisestipendium, coutersy of the private initiative Neue Kunst in Hamburg e.V. Founded by Dr. Michael Schäfer, Judith Fell-Zeller, Dr. Hans-Jochen Waitz, Katharina Bittel, and Peter Labin

2023/24                    Deutschlandstipendium HFBK, Hamburg courtesy of The Hamburg Federal Funding, Sammelstiftung (collective foundation), The Karl H. Ditze Stiftung, The Rudolf und Erika Koch-Stiftung, The Könk Grant Stiftung. Supplimented by funds provided by private sponsors in particular Dr. Hans-Joachim Waitz, Dr. Claus Löwe, Dr. Harald Falckenberg and Verena Gräfe-Höft

2023                           Leistungsstipendien für Internationale Studierende, HFBK, Hamburg courtesy of Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research, Equality, and Municipalities, co-financed by Karl H. Ditze Stiftung

2022                           FreundesKreis projekt stipendium der Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg supported by The Freundeskreis der Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg e.V. (»society of friends«, a registered association)

Catalogues

2024 9 TO 5 Eine Frage der Zeit

2024 Politics of Love

2024 ENCOUNTERS, Academy Selection 2024

2022/23 Forschung und Transfer, Jahrbuch der Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg

2022 Hiscox Kunstpreis 2022

2020 Kenya Arts Diary 2020

2021/22 Absolvent*innen, Jahrbuch der Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg

2018                         Stranger Times exhibition, Circle Art Agency, Nairobi Kenya

2018                          Atwork ”I had a dream” chapter 12 exhibition, Makerere Art Gallery, Kampala Uganda,

2017                          Proximity to Power exhibition, Circle Art Agency, Nairobi Kenya

2016 Kenya Arts Diary 2016

Press

Norddeutscher Rundfunk NDR Hamburg

Gallery Talk Net

Artospective

Business Daily Africa

The East African

Kenyan Weekly

Daily Nation

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