Obama artist wants to take portrait to US

By Kepher Otieno

He has dined and wined with the high and mighty and rubbed shoulders with African presidents.

Meet Mr Joachim Onyango Ndalo, 56, who has made a name for himself with his depictions of presidents and topical world events.

Ndalo also sculpts, screen prints, and landscapes.

"I thank God that my profession has won the hearts of many," he says.

the obama project

In the last five months, Ndalo has painted two portraits of US President-elect Barack Obama.

"I wanted to ensure I display my pictures for people to see my talent and inspiration of his leadership and ultimate victory," he says.

The large portraits allude to the international impact Obama’s election had in Kenya. Ndalo says the art materials cost him Sh260,000.

"I have no regrets in investing the money in the drawings. That was the best way for me to celebrate Obama’s victory as an artist," he says, beaming with joy.

Ndalo now hopes to present the portraits to Obama during his inauguration ceremony, on January 20, in the US.

"Many foreign visitors were impressed with my work and want me to travel to US to deliver the portraits during the occasion," he says.

He added: "Some even promised to sponsor my trip to and from US, including accommodation, and took my contacts plus passport photocopies."

Mr Joachim Ndalo and an Obama painting. He hopes to present it during the US President-elects’ inauguration ceremony in January. Photo: Titus Munala/Standard

"Though the chances are limited, I am still hopeful for a positive response," he says.

But Ndalo says even if he does not get a chance to deliver the portraits personally to Obama, he will present them to the US embassy in Kenya.

Besides the promises, he has also been in touch with Obama’s local family members, including his grandmother Mama Sarah and half sister Auma.

Two of his works on the president-elect were displayed in Mama Sarah’s compound, next to the dais, in Kogelo, Siaya, where more than 45 bishops, led by Ogonyo Ngede of the Power of Jesus Around the World, held prayers for Obama during voting.

Ndalo also joined hundreds of villagers, who braved pouring rain, to celebrate Obama’s victory at Kogelo Dispensary last week.

He says the portraits are his best work ever, in scale and complexity.

"My primary aim was to rank Obama among heroes with empathy for the diverse problems facing the world," he says.

In his drawings, he reminds Africans that sheer hard work and determination pay.

The portraits captured the peace themes that Obama cherished throughout his campaigns.

Ugandan millions

One captured crowds during Obama’s campaigns, with key messages tucked in between the glittering images.

Another portrait has the image of Obama, Joe Biden, Senator Hillary Clinton, US President George Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.

Ndalo’s work has endeared him to eminent persons. Presidents and ministers top his long list of acquaintances, courtesy of his art.

Ndalo recalls how Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni lined his pockets when he drew him.

"Museveni was impressed and paid me Ush10 million, equivalent to Sh750,000," he said.

When Museveni saw a portrait of the late John Garang of Sudan a year ago, he bought it at Ush5 million, about Sh300,000.

Ndalo met the Ugandan President during the annual Ugandan ASK show in Kampala, where he displayed his work.

"Museveni then ordered me to draw one of his family, which I did and presented to him," he says.

His work has also won him many awards in East Africa and commissions for his work run into millions.

Ndalo started drawing and painting in 1973, after he dropped out of Form 1 in 1968, due to lack of fees.

His career took shape when, in 1990, he painted retired President Moi publicly burning elephant tusks.

He displayed them during the Nairobi ASK show and quickly grabbed Moi’s attention.

"Moi was so impressed with my work that he paid me Sh80,000," he says.

Legacy

Some of the big names he has painted include

Bush, Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth. He has also

painted a portrait of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, underscoring his key role in brokering peace in Kenya.

Others include former Tanzania President Julius Nyerere, former US Ambassador Johnnie Carson, who ordered that he be given a visa to travel to the US, three years ago.

Now Ndalo is building a mud-walled artists’ school near his home in Ukwala, Siaya, which he hopes to open next year.

He wants to hone the skills of young upcoming artists as his legacy.

 

 

 

 

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