THROUGH GOSSIP WE THRIVE

48cmx500cm | Porcelain, gibs, styroform, and recorded audio | 2022

Through Gossip, We Thrive explores the dynamics of chama groups—informal savings and investment collectives widely popular among Kenyan women. Originally rooted in the post-independence philosophy of Harambee ("pulling together"), chamas have evolved into powerful feminist structures that foster economic empowerment and social solidarity. Though initially women-led, their growing influence has attracted broader participation, while still maintaining a degree of exclusivity.

This work reflects on the gendered perceptions surrounding chamas, particularly the clichés often associated with women—domesticity, gossip, and communal care. These are symbolized through sculptural elements like kettles and layered whispering audio. As a male artist, I engage critically with the question of representation: Who has the right to tell whose stories, and from what perspective? The piece questions the role of men within feminist movements, not to center them, but to acknowledge and examine their positionality in relation to systems of power and gendered agency.