Notes

Cyrus Kabiru, a self-taught artist from Nairobi, started making his roughhewn sculptural glasses, called C-Stunners, when he was a child. His father, who wore glasses and had to repair them himself, was an early influence. Similar to the improvised masks of Beninese artist Romuald Hazoumè, Kabiru’s sculptural pieces are products of – as much as comments on – the detritus of the modern African city. “I give the trash a second chance,” Kabiru has frequently stated in reference to his use of cast-off materials.¹ In 2015, for his debut solo in South Africa, Kabiru exhibited a series of photo portraits – including this lot showing the artist wearing a C-Stunner made from found materials – with actual examples of his wearable sculpture. “When I make these glasses I am Cyrus, the artist, but when I wear them I am a different person,” stated Kabiru of the portraits, which merge seeing and being seen, object and performance.² In 2017, a selection of these portraits – including an edition of this lot – was included in the launch exhibition at Zeitz MOCAA.

1.  Sean O’Toole (2015), ‘International Style’, in frieze, Issue 171, May 2015, page 31.

2.  Cyrus Kabiru (2015), quoted in SMAC Gallery press release: https://smacgallery.com/exhibition/cyrus-kabiru-c-stunners-black-mamba-29-01-15-14-03-15/

Exhibited

Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, All things being equal... 22 September 2017 to 20 June 2019.