Collage artist Muthoni Mwangi champions slow living through art

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Collage artist Muthoni Mwangi champions slow living through art
Collage artist Muthoni Mwangi. (Courtesy)

After leaving an artist collective a few weeks ago, Muthoni Mwangi returned to the drawing board. The collage artist had been a member of the Kobo Trust-based Seven Artists collective for two years, with her contract nearing its end. While her time at the collective had strengthened her career and craft through collaborations and mentorship, she was eager to explore new possibilities as an independent artist. This led her to an idea: why not curate an event centred on slow living?

This concept wasn’t new to her. Muthoni had been practising slow living for some time, incorporating habits like taking slow morning walks, burning sage to cleanse her home daily, and embracing stillness. Initially, she did not put much thought into these activities. It is only recently that she started engaging in them intentionally and voicing her slow living journey and ideas with people.

This past Saturday, Muthoni hosted the first edition of her Slow Living series, Cozy Corner, at the home of fellow artist Love by Cassia. The venue was homely and artistic, adorned with plants, rustic rugs, and sculptures. Guests were welcomed with yoghurt topped with rainbow sprinkles, raisins, granola, and chocolates as soothing melodies played in the background. Intimate, judgement-free conversations followed, with topics ranging from slow living and self-care to career, friendships, and romantic relationships.

Muthoni also introduced attendees to her artistic medium by providing materials for them to create collages. These collages became manifestations and celebrations of a slower, intentional way of life.

Muthoni believes that people are constantly seeking spaces to relax. The goal of her event was to create such a space. Having experienced burnout and creative stagnation herself, she aimed to extend grace to others and encourage them to value rest.

“The series will explore art, healing, and community through the lens of slow living, softness, and connection. It’s not about creating; it is about being. As an artist, my journey has been about exploring themes like time, growth, and transformation. And now, I’m extending that conversation to include rest, the quiet, cozy spaces where creativity and self-nurture thrive,” she says.

She added: “Today was a moment to pause, to connect, and to just be. There is beauty in slowing down, embracing stillness, and being present in shared conversations. My nurturing of art to nurturing myself has brought us here. Slow living, to me, is about being present and learning to rest mentally and physically and to avoid the urge to always stay busy.”

Muthoni plans to host the event monthly, alternating between indoor and outdoor locations. Future editions will integrate her solo exhibitions and include curated shows for other artists.

Visual artist Elna Akware, who attended the event, praised Muthoni’s concept and the venue for “not being a typical Kenyan home.”

“My way of slow living is about taking breaks, not falling into the trap of cancel culture, being in sync with nature, incorporating soft living in every aspect of my life, and taking care of my mind, body, and soul,” she said.

Muthoni, now the creative director of Cultured Kitco—a mutual aid organisation that connects artists from around the world—is focusing on her art, her new role, and promoting the culture of slow living.

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