Artist Profil
Having completed his studies in art as well as teacher training at
Makarere University, Kampala, Yoga began painting in nightclubs, in 1970.
Economic difficulties, the lack of exhibition space and of art supplies
compelled him to leave Uganda in 1980. He took up a post at a teacher training
college in Eldoret, Kenya whilst trying out a variety of artistic techniques
and styles in his spare time. It was in this period that he produced his first
abstract paintings, dyed cloths and little later his distinctive colourful bead
works. For his later pieces, which seem ever more to sever ties with the
external world, Yoga has coined the term Yogaabstract.
To him, art is ‘an
adventure into the unknown world. Do not look for African myths and legends in
my work but what
on art-work!
* More about John Yoga in the essay by Michael Drechsler "Expressionism in Africa - A Search for Traces"
Solo Exhibitions
1990
Goethe-Institut, Nairobi, Kenya
In the eighties - Numerous solo exhibitions in the Gallery Watatu, Nairobi, Kenya
Group Exhibitions (Selection)
2021 - "Spirit Afrika - Gegenwartskunst aus sechs
afrikanischen Ländern", Museum Abtei Liesborn des Kreises Warendorf,
19.9.-28.11.2021
2019 - "Global Conversations: Art in Dialogue", Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Kanada, 2019
1996 „Afrikanische
Gegenwartskunst“, Kunst Transit, Berlin, Germany
1992 After the dead of
Yoga the Gallery Watatu did show a memory exhibition for Yoga of several Kenyan artists
1991
„The Custodians View: Africa’s Animals by Africans“, Gallery Watatu, Nairobi,
Kenya
1981 - 1991 Participation with group exhibitions in the Gallery Watatu, Nairobi, Kenya
Publications (Selection)
- Yaar, Mehram, John Yoga goes back to the roots, Sunday Times, Nairobi, 14. 1. 1990
- Ndavu, Eva, The art of science themes on display, Daily Nation, Nairobi, 16. 1. 1990
Museums - Collection
-
National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi
-
Kunst Transit, Berlin
- Toledo Museum of Art, Canada
-
Sammlungen in den USA
