A significant new publication celebrating East African art has been released for art enthusiasts and visitors to the region. "Echoes of Humanity: An East African Art Collection" features an extensive private collection, portions of which are currently on display at the Red Hill Art Gallery in Tigoni, Kenya.
The book is authored by Hellmuth Rossler, his wife Erica Musch-Rossler, and co-writer Zihan Kassam Herr. The collection belongs to Hellmuth and Erica and is typically housed in their private home. Michael Armitage, artist and founder of the Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute, wrote the book's foreword, praising the couple's extraordinary commitment to supporting artists across the region.
"This book offers an opportunity to engage with the extraordinary collection assembled by Hellmuth and Erica – an endeavor that reflects not only their passion for the visual arts but also a deep and sustained commitment to supporting artists across the region," Armitage wrote. He noted their exceptional sensitivity to artistic practice, nurturing both established and emerging voices while creating space for their work to be seen, discussed, and celebrated.
The couple's art collecting journey began in 1992 while they were both working for Save the Children in Somaliland. During a rest and recuperation leave in Nairobi, they visited Gallery Watatu on Standard Street, where they met Ruth Schaffner, the gallery director. Schaffner introduced them to several artists whose work was displayed at her gallery, many of them self-taught but creating with what she called "authentic and genuine talent."
This initial encounter marked the beginning of Hellmuth and Erica's journey through East African art and their collecting endeavors. Their humanitarian work with Save the Children took them throughout Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, and Kenya, as well as visits to Namibia and Zimbabwe, allowing them to discover and collect art from across the region.
When the couple retired in 2010, they remained in Kenya and decided to showcase their art collection in a specially built gallery within their lush Tigoni garden. The Red Hill Art Gallery was designed to be light and airy, featuring a curved glass mosaic across its floor created by Nani Croze, whose stained-glass works can be seen in many Nairobi buildings and at Kitengela Glass near Ongata Rongai.
Over the years, the Red Hill Art Gallery has hosted exhibitions from the private collection alongside numerous solo and group shows. According to the gallery's website, its mission is "to provide a platform to support and promote our local creative talent, and to contribute to the national and international recognition of contemporary art in Africa."
The book includes a comprehensive section describing Kenya's changing art landscape since independence, which has triggered memories for many long-time observers of the scene. The narrative traces back to 1969 when Gallery Watatu was founded by artist Yoni Waites and Robin Anderson, initially serving mainly expatriate clientele with works like Anderson's hand-printed silk batiks.
During those early years, Elimo Njau's Paa ya Paa Arts Centre became a crucial focal point for young artists and art lovers. Originally located in the city center before moving to Ridgeways along Kiambu Road, the center was known for intellectual discussions and cultural gatherings. Elimo's wife, Philda, contributed to the center's atmosphere by bringing music alongside the paintings and sculptures, and organizing memorable Mother Christmas children's parties.
The book launch at Red Hill Art Gallery featured a special moment when Elimo and Philda arrived to find a huge chocolate cake celebrating Elimo's 93rd birthday, highlighting the continuing legacy of Kenya's art pioneers.
Today's art scene includes diverse galleries like the Banana Hill Art Gallery, founded in 1992 by artists Shine Tani and his wife Rahab. Located on a busy road in a Nairobi township surrounded by kiosks, shops, bars, and churches, the gallery provides a quiet space with surprising displays of local artists' works.
In contrast, the One Off Contemporary Art Gallery operates in the upmarket Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate off Limuru Road. Registered in 1994, it represents leading East African artists and maintains a regular monthly exhibition schedule, extensive collection of works for sale, artistic merchandise shop, and sculpture garden.
"Echoes of Humanity" features works by 93 artists from across the region: 47 from Kenya, 16 from Tanzania, 10 from Sudan, eight from Uganda, seven from Zimbabwe, three from Namibia, one from Egypt, and one from Zambia. The substantial volume presents beautifully photographed paintings and sculptures, including Makonde sculptures that particularly resonate with collectors familiar with Tanzanian art.
The publication represents what may be the most comprehensive book on East African art available today. Hellmuth and Erica have created a significant invitation for readers to share in their discoveries during their journeys across Africa. Currently, "Echoes of Humanity" can only be purchased from the Red Hill Art Gallery, though it will soon be available in bookshops throughout the region.
