Description
Hop on! In Kenya, matatus are the main form of public transportation, and matatu culture is a vibrant reflection of the here and now–including everything from music to the iconographic art decorating the side panels, as well as the “mastingo” or “stunts” performed off the side. These very special, signed digital reproductions of original woodcut prints are a colourful and eye-catching addition to any space.
This print depicts the back of the Astronauta matatu, which used to run the Ongata Rongai route in southwest Nairobi. Here, you see a young woman walking, listening to music through headphones. This is meant to be a feel-good piece, showing the influence of music in matatu culture, particularly reggae and hip-hop.
This is a signed digital reproduction of a woodcut print that was made using a reduction process. In this technique, a single block of wood is used, with each layer of colour is subsequently cut away after the previous layer is printed, such that the final woodcut can never be used to reproduce the same design.
