Why artists will miss DusitD2 after attack

When Dusit hotel complex got hit by terrorists on January 15, it was devastating. Rounds of bullets fired and some explosives going off left in its wake loss of innocent lives, and a slightly shattered complex. With the premises being a crime, on top of that, DusitD2 announced that it is being closed until further notice.

Besides the offices, restaurants, boutiques, parlours and saloons that had set up shop at the complex, up and coming artists will also find themselves caught in the aftermath of the tragic event. DusitD2 has been providing free space once every month for artist to exhibit their works at the hotel. In what is now dubbed “DusitD2 Pop Up Art Gallery”, the hotel has been hosting the display of paintings, drawings and other crafts at The Den since 2016.

Back then it was known as “The DusitD2 Nairobi Art Gallery” and artists from all over the country converged at the DusitD2 Nairobi every Saturday of the last week of the month to exhibit their pieces. The art gallery was used as a platform by the boutique hotel to nurture talent and encourage creative freedom among artists.

According to Michael Metaxas, the DusitD2 Nairobi General Manager, the art gallery was a great opportunity, especially for young artists who want an avenue to sell their art works in a central location full of art lovers. This would bring them closer to clients who would be able to offer value payment their art works deserved.

“The art gallery is part of our corporate social responsibility initiative through which we help artists to eliminate the bureaucracy system that has seen brokers, middlemen and hosts of art exhibitions gain more than the artists themselves. Kenya is full of talented artists who have a lot to showcase as the turnout for this event clearly shows.,” Metaxas had said in the beginning.

Metaxas founded and coordinated the gallery in partnership with Charles Murito, Google Kenya Country Manager.