Michael Soi is a Kenyan artist who grew up in the country’s capital, Nairobi, and studied fine arts and art history before becoming a full-time painter in 1995.

Soi is inspired by contemporary life in Nairobi. His work offers a photographic diary of the city, and is a satirical commentary on social, economic and political conditions and developments. His work explores relationships – across generations, between different ethnic groups, and more generally what he calls ‘the economy of love’, including commercial sex work and social interaction in the context of globalisation and consumerism.

A hallmark of his art is his outstanding imagination and strong style – colourful paintings with black outlines which are illustrative and playful but also make an important social and political point. Michael Soi is in a strong tradition of caricaturists who have documented Kenyan society since independence, bravely and humorously exposing the political establishment and social conventions.

Similar artists

Robert Crumb – American satirical and politically charged adult cartoonist.
Marlene Dumas – South African contemporary painter; major African voice on bodies and politics.
Anton Kannemeyer – South African political-satirical cartoonist of African subject matter.
Daniel Lezama – Mexican painter of political-erotic figurative subjects.
Polly Nor – British illustrator of pop-satirical contemporary themes.
Kara Walker – American artist of political-erotic work on race and history.