I decided to call the project CHAMO MILE because it speaks to various elements in life that I have a passed through and grown from in order to feel at home in my being. CHAMO because I had to develop a lot of my art alone, camouflaged under deep false rays of racism, sexual abuse, metal health issues, police brutality etc. For years I wasn’t able to adequately share about my self or my hopes and dreams for my self, partly because I didn’t know if I would live this long: since it was a Daily battle against crushing anxiety and depression. I didn’t have hope but I fought. I fought to find a reason to believe in being here. However, I mainly chose CHAMO because of the PTSD I have experienced from being alive in this life. An African, educated, dark skinned, thick, magical woman. It is an ode to all the ways I learned to disguise my being in order to protect my self. Good and Bad. It is a celebration of the preservation I held for my being and the story of transcendence from believing to knowing. From Believing I could possibly make strides in the Nairobi scene if I changed or added this or that to my self, to knowing this path was etched for me. Knowing and accepting that my path will be unlike any other, thanks to the authenticity and dedication it demands from me.
MILE because I see and give thanks for the journey. For the remembrance of a path that was hidden and stolen from us as Africans. Knowing that our foot prints on our land cultivate collective pride, happiness and love for our people!
WE LITERALLY RUN MILES!
As a word because of my love for brewing herbs and teas! A reminder that I am water! Chamomile. That my messages sweeps and soothes the hearts of all its recipients.
Finally PYE because all of us need to Protect Our Energy from the ill hearted. Protect Your Energy.
So CHAMO MILE ; PYE is a collection of work by My self and collaborative pieces with some of the creatives around me. It comprises of one Visual painting piece, a 7 track EP, two music videos and visual merchandise. It is a story of the growth I have endured, the challenges I have faced along the way and a celebration of the faith I have mastered in my self for my being and artistry to flourish.