ARCHIVE:
Shiro Muchiri
Shiro Muchiri is founder of SoShiro and co-founder of Art in Architecture.
SoShiro is a curated gallery space in Marylebone offering a programme of exhibitions and events that foster genuine inclusivity and platform emerging artists.
Art in Architecture is a pioneering collaboration of development consultant Hanna Afolabi + art curator/interior architect Shiro, providing strategic support on building trust between development stakeholders and resident communities.
Through their consultancy, Shiro and Hanna channel their combined passion of utilising art – as an engagement tool, temporary or permanent installation – to ensure development is inclusive and progressive in its approach.
Instagram: @so.shiro
LinkedIn: Shiro Muchiri
I’ve had a lifelong passion for nurturing creativity, seeking out new talent and understanding how art impacts on people and place. My November selection highlights exhibitions, events and talks which show how London offers exciting opportunities for creativity and innovation.
As a champion of emerging talent in art, I’m always interested to see how creative careers are forged in other industries – often through pioneering initiatives and partnerships. Design Museum’s ‘REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion’ showcases stories of young designers who have broken the mould to transform the fashion landscape and launch global careers.
I love how Pitzhanger Manor use the neo-classical architecture of Sir John Soane’s country home to host a series of forward-looking art installations. The latest of these offers a window into the life of artists and couple Idris Khan and Annie Morris, highlighting how their partnership influenced and inspired each other’s work. Artworks from sculpture and photography to painting and embroidery are dotted through the Manor and Gallery.
Tate Modern’s current exhibition on Contemporary African Photography is particularly exciting as we previously had the pleasure of exhibiting Aïda Muluneh at SoShiro. It’s wonderful to see her work as part of this celebration of photography, film and audio by artists reimagining Africa’s culture and history through their own eyes.
I recently enjoyed a curator-led tour of Sculpture in the City, an annual free exhibition which uses the City of London as an open gallery space. It was wonderful to see internationally renowned artists alongside emerging graduates, all using the Square Mile’s heritage and contemporary architecture as a backdrop for their artistic interventions.
Niche auction house Maak is holding an exhibition and auction of over 300 highly collectable studio ceramic pieces. Bidding takes place online over 4 days in November with viewings online from 27 October or in Covent Garden on auction days. Rare pieces from Lucie Rie and Edmund du Waal will be up for grabs!
For a fascinating insight into creative process, I highly recommend booking November’s Barbican Encounters with contemporary artists Ronan McKenzie and Mac Collins discussing ‘ideation to realisation’. I’m looking forward to hearing how they have turned specific experiences and environments into creative outcomes.
And finally, I wanted to offer up a listen for November. A few weeks ago, I enjoyed chatting to Tom Larsson from the Grow Places Podcast to share my thoughts on how art shapes communities. We talked about personal connections to place and the potential of art in urban development to stir emotions and create memories.
