The story of Wisgad Arts Kenya is one of resilience, patience, hard work, rediscovering one’s potential, tapping into the inner strength and never giving up on your dream. Despite all the cruel challenges that life has thrown at him, Mr. Gad Wesonga has still managed to live upto his dream of becoming the best hyperrealist, and pencil artist in Nairobi Kenya.
When your parents separate at a young age, as a child there’s nothing you can do about it. You look left, look right, and your options in life immediately start to dwindle. It was through such circumstances that Gad Wesonga found himself under the care of the Virginia Children’s Home in Nakuru.
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The home was well supported by well wishers who sustained the families in there by providing food, and also took the children through school. And for 7 straight years, Gad Wesonga called this home. He was able to navigate through school, eventually finishing his secondary education in the year 2015 with a C+ grade.
Although he expected well wishers at the home to continue supporting him through college education, unfortunately that did not happen. Mr. Wesonga had to look for other means of survival. That is the time he moved to Nairobi and enlisted as a handyman in a number of construction sites. He fondly remembers doing random construction jobs in a variety of sites in the city including Lavington, Kilkeleshwa, Umoja and Juakali estates.
It was not until May 2016 when we he rediscovered his interest in art, started practising at home with locally available resources, until he sold his first piece in December that year for $15. He reminisces about that feeling of satisfaction each time, how the client approached him through Facebook, introduced herself as a student at Kenyatta University. She was hoping to acquire the piece of art and surprise her mom with it, when she goes back home for the December holidays at the end of that semester.
From that time, his confidence level and self approval rating was hitting the sunroof! 2017 being an election year in the Kenyan political circles, Gad Wesonga was looking to make inroads through the political class using his artworks. Whenever he heard a politician was coming to tour his neighborhood in Kawangware in a few days, he immediately started working on their portraits in readiness for the big day. He knew artwork would definitely attract the attention of any politician. Moreso because they like to be seen ‘supporting’ the local talents.
Through this technique, Gad Wesonga was able to draw portraits for a number of big names in the Nairobi political climate; who came visiting. They included the current Nairobi County Women Representative Ms. Esther Passaris, Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati, former Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero, former Nairobi County Speaker Ms. Beatrice Elachi among others. Even though some of those leaders did not buy the portraits from him, he acknowledges that; just getting an approval that he has done a good job really meant alot for him.
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In October 2019, Gad Wesonga was privileged to take part in a free beauty and barbering training program conducted by Fresh Cuts Foundation(NGO). Through the training, he demonstrated his capability, and was lucky to secure an internship at their barbershop/salon in Kilimani till date; where he doubles up as a barber and also uses his free time to draw and serve his customers.
TWITTER recently connected us. Gad Wesonga is a highly talented Pencil Artwork Guru. See what he has done for Bro. Naph@ Naphtaly Mattah? Contact him on 0718506500 or thru his Brand Manager Clive Lupao on 0729209419. I am satisfied with Gad’s handiwork. pic.twitter.com/Y4Eb6xkA4w
— Silas Chepkeres Jakakimba, PhDc, CPM. (@silasjakakimba) July 31, 2020
Through his company, Wisgad Arts Kenya, Mr. Wesonga has been able to process and deliver hundreds of orders since his debut in 2016, and continues to impress many clients, most of who reach out to him via social media.
Dear Francis Gachuri @Fchurii
Please accept this gift on behalf of all Kenyans & I for your many years of service & high professionalism in your career as attested by H.E Pr. Kenyatta#BudgetKe2020#Budget2020#NewsGang @citizentvkenya @LinusKaikai @YvonneOkwara @JamilaMohamed pic.twitter.com/eiY0T2YCl9— Wisgad Arts Kenya (@WisgadArtsKenya) June 11, 2020
His dream is to be able to open his own art studio and practise art full time. His current nature of work that forces him to do his drawings at night, has caused him alot of pain especially with the eyes. Fatigue has also been another major side effect of working two jobs at the same time; barbering during the day and drawing at night.
Thank you very much @WisgadArtsKenya. Brilliant stuff. May the Lord bless and increase you. pic.twitter.com/mgnPfGKd8g
— Francis Gachuri (@Fchurii) June 11, 2020
If given a chance to proceed with his education, Mr. Wesonga says he would like to take up interior design. This is majorly because he’s already familiar with majority of the tenets of art, which easily rhymes with interior design.
During his free time, Mr. Wesonga has also been actively involved in providing free drawing classes to school going kids in his neighborhood. The training programs were usually organized by Street Talent Africa, a community organization in Nairobi, Kenya. Mr. Wesonga is also a Taeknowndo player and is currently a holder of the black belt!
Get in touch with Wisgad Arts Kenya today through any of their social media handles or Call/WhatsApp: 0729209419. Remember to leave your comments down below and share this article widely to show support for this ingenious Kenyan talent.
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