A place of mindlessness and inner stillness is where great works of art are made. These tranquil places are found in solitude, away from the petty prattle that dims creativity. And when artists consecrate here, ideas are exchanged, inner eyes are opened and an inspiration that no glut of adjectives can describe is born. Then they get to work, and through their paint brushes and their fingers, they rouse an art from inside that then comes alive in the public milieu. A simple scene captured with eyes in the sunset is transformed into an artistic impression, cajoled to be a utopian moment of the horizon’s endlessness. Banana Hill Gallery is this kind of art factory that gives artists solitude to manufacture.

Started in 1992, it is a place where artists meet, exchange ideas and share material. Then they make art and hang it in the gallery for those who find a sensational soothing in what they see. Even faced with the fear of limited appreciation of art by locals, the optimism never dies. Shine, the director at the gallery emphasizes on their desire to beat the substantial lack of appreciation for contemporary art in Kenya. Theirs is not just a factory, but also a market to sell and view art. “We also hold about four artists’ workshops in a year,” says Tani.

Set to re-launch soon, the gallery wants to expand to a bigger sphere of intercultural understanding by exhibiting art from not just East Africa but the rest of the Africa. Art tells stories of lands, and Tani believes that this re-launch will simply be bringing the whole of Africa in a gallery. Most connoisseurs of art don’t look at African art as one that is rich in creativity, but simply as a social commentary. However, the works that are exhibited at this gallery go beyond the comfort of an art that reflects a society to art that is experimental and explores safe and unsafe subjects.

“We concentrate mostly on the contemporary art style,” says Tani. Some of the works in the gallery include paintings and sculptures by the likes of Zachariah Mbutha, Francis Kahuri , Alex Wainaina, Shine Tani, Ismael Kateregga , Haji Chilonga, Rahab Shine, Rudovick Kaija, Sebastian Kiarie and many more. But can this traditional gallery model sustain the numerous adversities that stand in the way of art, given that Banana Hill Gallery is situated way off the city centre? Tani believes the good reputation that the gallery has established so far is their operating ray. “Our art is premium, and even though far, the city insecurity, parking problems and traffic jam work to the gallery’s advantage.” Tani’s sentiments on the gallery and art are of a person who believes that there is never an end to art. Its sparks beat death.