Shaler Area High School recently welcomed well-known Kenyan artist Adam Masava. He visited the campus, bringing with him a message of sustainability, creativity, and empowerment. Masava, known for his innovative use of recycled materials and his dedication to empowering young people through art, captivated students with his compelling journey from the slums of Nairobi to international acclaim.

Masava is from the Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums of East Nairobi, a densely populated and incredibly impoverished neighborhood inside of Kenya. Growing up in this area is where Adam’s creativity and influence stem from. The experiences he has encountered through his life are able to direct his art in an impactful and unique way.

The slums of Kenya don’t have any waste management services as we are used to in America. This means all of the trash produced by the residents of these neighborhoods either gets piled up or burned. This trash issue makes the lack of space even more of a problem. With how expensive art supplies are, Adam saw a path for himself where he reuses trash but also expands his creativity in a way that hasn’t been seen before.

In a lot of Adam’s art, hard working men and women from the slums are illustrated living their daily lives. He likes to represent the unseen when he is painting and he feels as though the people within his town deserve recognition for how hard they work. 

In Kenyan slums, access to water is very scarce for most. Many women have to fetch water from a well every day and carry it all the way back to their homes. In this painting, he shows a woman with a vase on top of her head carrying water.

Masava’s art goes past conventional boundaries as he repurposes discarded materials into stunning works of art. From scrap metal to flip-flops, Masava’s creations not only showcase his talent but also carry a profound message of sustainability and resourcefulness. 

“My work is about teaching and showing people the other side of the coin. I feel like art is a very important tool for anyone to explore,” Masava said.

For Masava, sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s a way of life. By using recycled materials in his artwork, Masava not only reduces waste but also highlights the beauty of resourcefulness. He wants to set an example for others and show that creativity has no boundaries, even when art supplies aren’t available.

“When I started recycling and upcycling, I started feeling really well… I started attracting attention, and galleries started asking for my work,” he said. 

Masava’s visit also highlighted the importance of empowering young people through artistic expression. Through his art collective, Masava provides a positive outlet for creativity, helping students stay out of trouble and discover their potential.

 “My dream was to become a professional soccer player, but sadly, I broke my ankle. That’s when I turned to art, and it became my path,” he said.

His art collective has become a hit within his community in Kenya, allowing students to express themselves creatively instead of getting into trouble. He has fostered numerous popular artists in Kenya with the art collective and believes that it gives the youth a fresh chance to express themselves in healthy ways.

Throughout his visit to Shaler Area, Masava actively engaged with students, soliciting their feedback and insights into his artwork. By listening to their perspectives, Masava gains valuable insight into how his art resonates with others, shaping his future creative endeavors.

 “Art is a tool that gives you an opportunity to express yourself, it brings your thoughts out into life and lets other people engage with your work,” he said.