Remade in Kenya, Haute Couture Recycled Functional Art Exhibition by Walied Osman

About
Afghan-American multi-media artist, Walied Osman, exhibits an array of artwork that are a deconstruction and reconstruction of old airplanes and cars. Recycling is central to his work. Quoting from the French chemist/biologist Antoine Lavoisier's famous maxim: 'Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed,' which was in turn borrowed from Greek philosopher Anaxagoras of Clazomenae, Walied's artworks blend aesthetics with functionality and practicality, dramatically transforming scrap materials into unique haute couture functional art. The artist also addresses current events through his pieces, using the power of art to explore human follies.

Walied studied electrical engineering in the USA. His exposure to art came from working in the art-moving business connecting with museums, galleries, collectors and artists from around the world. He moved to Kenya in 2012 and was introduced to a Kenyan Italian lady, who kindly granted him access to her late husband's warehouse full of old disused aircraft at Wilson Airport. This was the beginning of a fulfilling journey, the results of which will grace the Alliance Française galleries in May.