MASK Awards 2013

The theme for the 2014 MASK Awards was 'What Makes Me Proud About Kenya', celebrating the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence.

The 2014 MASK Awards received over 1,000 artwork entries from 95 schools and 15 universities across Kenya.

Five prizes totaling 300,000 Ksh (£2,500), sponsored by Rivers Foundation (UK), were awarded.

The Awards Ceremony drew an audience of 400 people. The winning artworks were exhibited at the Nairobi National Museum (11 June - 10 July 2013), Saatchi Gallery in London (12 September - 7 October 2013), and the Royal Overseas League in London (4 December 2013 - 24 January 2014), attracting over 90,000 visitors.

Special thanks to the judges for their valuable contributions.

WINNERS in all categories

The inaugural prize-giving ceremony and exhibition of the MASK Awards 2013 (formerly the MASK Prize) was held at the prestigious Nairobi National Museum from 11 June to 10 July 2013. The exhibition featured an extraordinary collection of over 600 original artworks, carefully selected from entries submitted by young people from across Kenya.

The Prize-Giving Ceremony, held on 11 June 2013, was officially opened by a distinguished panel of guests, including:

• Dr Chris Turner, British High Commissioner, who highlighted the importance of fostering creativity among young people as a catalyst for innovation and social change.
• E. Lagat, Director of the Nairobi National Museum, who underscored the significance of the Museum as a platform for showcasing local artistic talent.
• Andrew Mwanthi, Director of Education, Nairobi City County, representing Governor Dr Evans Kidero, who emphasized the role of art education in holistic youth development.
• Kimanzi Muthengi, Director of the UNICEF Talent Academies Programme, who spoke about the transformative power of creative expression.
• Wycliffe Muga, Editor of The Star, who reflected on the importance of nurturing creative industries for Kenya's cultural and economic growth.

The prizes were awarded by Alan Rivers, Founder of the Rivers Foundation, whose ongoing support has been instrumental in empowering young artists through the MASK Awards initiative.

The exhibition was expertly curated by MASK's Watson Kanyi and Raymond Mutisya, who carefully organized and presented the artworks to highlight the diversity of creative voices across Kenya.

The event attracted over 4,000 visitors, including students, educators, policymakers, and members of the public, who were deeply inspired by the talent and imagination on display.

One of the young participants, Zebra Kamal, aged 14, beautifully encapsulated the essence of the exhibition, stating: “Art is when you involve your mind to create something to be seen by others.”

The inaugural MASK Awards exhibition at the Nairobi National Museum not only celebrated the creativity of young Kenyans but also established a strong foundation for future collaborations, emphasizing the role of art in shaping Kenya's cultural and educational landscape.

The MASK Awards 2013 exhibition was held at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London, UK, from 12 September to 7 October 2013. The exhibition was officially opened by the renowned contemporary artist Michael Craig-Martin and Francesca Wilson, Education Director at the Saatchi Gallery. Over the course of the exhibition, it attracted an impressive audience of 87,000 visitors.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Michael Craig-Martin remarked:

“This is important work for the future of East African art. It attracted very young people. What struck me from the submissions is that all three prize-winners are about place—they all locate something. It’s very telling that this is the most vivid thing for them, and therefore their art is very vivid for us. I congratulate the MASK Awards organisers.”

Francesca Wilson also shared her thoughts on the exhibition:

“The UK young people who come to the Gallery's workshops say that the Kenyan young people's artwork is amazing. They are influenced by these artworks! It was great working with MASK.”

The exhibition not only showcased the creative talent of Kenyan youth but also fostered a meaningful cultural exchange, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and inspiring a new generation of artists in both Kenya and the UK.