Ogutu Muraya
Credit: KCA
Ogutu Muraya is a storyteller, performance artist, and writer, with a profound curiosity in the connection between the spiritual and the neurological, between realms of thinking and meaning, change and understanding. Ogutu’s work is embedded in the practice of Orature. His art seeks new forms of storytelling where socio-political aspects merge with the belief that art is an important catalyst for questioning ineluctable facts.
He studied international relations at the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi/Kenya and graduated from the Academy of Theater and Dance at the University of the Arts in Amsterdam/Netherlands with an MA in 2016. He has been published in the Kwani ? Journal , Chimurenga Chronic , Rekto:Verso , Etcetera Magazine and NT Gent's The Golden Book series , among others. His performative works and storytelling have been featured in several theater performances and festivals including La MaMa (NYC/USA), Hay Festival (Wales/UK), HIFA (Harare/Zimbabwe), SICK! Festival (Manchester/UK), Ranga Shankara (Bangalore/India), Afrovibes Festival (Amsterdam), SPIELART Theaterfestival (Munich/Germany), Zürcher Theater Spektakel (Zurich/Switzerland), Festival Theaterformen (Brunswick/Germany), Theater is A Must Forum (Alexandria/Egypt), Theater Commons Tokyo (Tokyo/Japan), Festival du théâtre africain (Rabat/Morocco), Kina Festival (Kigali/Rwanda), Kenya International Theatre Festival (Nairobi/Kenya), Kampala International Theatre Festival (Kampala/Uganda), The House of Stories - Mezrab(Amsterdam/ The Netherlands) and others.
Ogutu is based in Malindi, Kenya where he continues his artistic practice through his company Studio Panda-Shuka. He has taught part-time and is also the founder of Maabara Atelier.
Overaching praxis statement:
Ogutu Muraya's praxis revolves around exploring the nexus of storytelling, orature, and theatre, delving into the interplay between the spiritual and neurological realms. Through his art and teaching, he fosters curiosity, playfulness, and critical inquiry, challenging certainties and nurturing speculative thinking. Grounded in a pedagogy of ludic engagement, his work blurs boundaries, inviting participants to navigate alternative dimensions and narratives of complexity.
Current art and/or research interest:
Ogutu Muraya's current artistic and research interests are deeply rooted in exploring the intersections of storytelling, orature, and theatre while delving into the profound connection between the spiritual and neurological dimensions of human experience. He continues to investigate how these realms intersect and influence one another, seeking to uncover new forms of storytelling that transcend conventional boundaries and challenge prevailing certainties.
Central to his exploration is the practice of 'Narrating Complexity' and 'Fabulating Complexity', methodologies that aim to liberate the imagination and engage with speculative thinking.
An integral aspect of Ogutu's current pursuits is the development of ludic pedagogy through projects like the game 'In Times of Mistrust' and the toolkit 'Time Accumulates' These creations serve as platforms for playful interaction, fostering curiosity, openness to surprise, and intellectual rigor. Through his teaching and artistic practice, Ogutu aims to facilitate transformative experiences that encourage participants to navigate alternative dimensions of consciousness, past, present, and future.
Ogutu's work also reflects a commitment to socio-political engagement, as he endeavors to merge these artistic explorations with critical inquiries into contemporary issues. His performances, publications, and educational initiatives serve as platforms for dialogue, reflection, and collective understanding, fostering a deeper connection between art and societal discourse.
In essence, Ogutu Muraya's current art and research interests revolve around harnessing the power of storytelling and creative expression to interrogate and navigate the complexities of human existence in an ever-changing world.
More about the artist:
https://www.facebook.com/ogutu.muraya
https://www.instagram.com/ogutumuraya/