Thandiwe Muriu

Thandiwe Muriu

Kenya • 504 followers
Featured in: Emerging artists

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Biography

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Thandiwe Muriu discovered photography at age 14, experimenting with her father's old Nikon camera. Self-taught, she immersed herself in books and video tutorials, learning from every resource she could find, as Kenya did not have any formal photography schools. By age 17, she was working professionally, and by 23 had shot her first solo advertising campaign. By 2019, she was photographing campaigns for some of the largest companies in East Africa.

In 2024, Thandiwe Muriu's work gained further prominence with her collaboration on the prestigious Lavazza Calendar, showcasing her unique artistic perspective. She also participated in major international exhibitions, including Paris Photo 2024 and 1-54 London, where her vibrant and culturally infused portraits captivated global audiences. Muriu's recent exhibitions reflect her growing influence in the world of contemporary photography, solidifying her place as a leading figure in the exploration of identity and culture through visual arts. Additionally, her work was featured in the "WAX" exhibition at the Musée de l'Homme in Paris, organized in collaboration with the 193 Gallery, further solidifying her position in the contemporary photography scene. Muriu's recent exhibitions reflect her growing influence in the world of contemporary photography, solidifying her place as a leading figure in the exploration of identity and culture through visual arts.

As the sole woman operating in the male-dominated advertising photography industry in Kenya, Thandiwe repeatedly confronted questions around the role of women in society, the place of tradition, and her own self-perception. These experiences inspired her first work, the Camo series, a project of cultural reflection. Camo was the catalyst for her to push new boundaries in her photography, leading her into a deeply personal artistic journey.

Thandiwe Muriu's work showcases Africa's unique mix of vibrant textiles, cultural practices, and beauty ideologies. Creating surreal illusions that are not digital manipulations but rather pure photography, she confronts issues surrounding identity and self-perception while seeking to redefine female empowerment through the application of her choice of materials, such as fabric and common household items.

Thandiwe Muriu is an artist with a highly atypical career path. She began her artistic career just three years ago, yet her work is already represented in many major private and public collections: Fondation Gandur from Switzerland, UHODA collection from Belgium, The Contemporary African Art collection by Pigozzi, the Carla and Pieter Schulting collection and the Allure collection in Switzerland, as well as the Joy Simmons collection, the Hood Museum, and the Eleanor Crook Foundation. In addition, numerous museum board members (including Moma, Tate, V&A, and Perez) have purchased her work.

Explore all artworks (51)

Photography, Camo 2.0 4452, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.2 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

€11,000

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Winds of Change, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€10,001

Photography, Our Collective Beauty, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

€14,000

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Camo 2.0 4415, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

€10,000

Photography, Discord, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 120 x 120 x 0.2 cm Photography . 47.2 x 47.2 x 0.1 inch

€13,000

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Camo 15, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.3 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

€13,000

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Pearls Of The Ocean, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€10,000

Photography, A Gathering of Welcome, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€10,000

Photography, A Sisterhood of Dreams, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 150 x 100 x 0.5 cm Photography . 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.2 inch

€15,000

Photography, An Abundance of Plenty, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€11,000

Photography, The Gift, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 150 x 100 x 0.5 cm Photography . 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.2 inch

€15,000

Photography, A Blanket of Tides, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€9,000

Photography, Dawn's Soliloquy, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 68 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 26.8 x 0.2 inch

€9,000

Photography, Prized Possessions, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 25 x 25 x 0.5 cm Photography . 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.2 inch

€3,000

Photography, The Indigo Lake of My Dreams, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€12,000

Photography, Prophetess Mama, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€10,000

Photography, The Defender’s Tribute, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€13,000

Photography, Victorious Dreams, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€11,000

Photography, The Catalyst for Blossoming, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

€12,000

Photography, Canopy of Love, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

€12,000

Photography, Loyalty's Foundation, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€11,000

Photography, One heart, Many Languages, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€11,000

Photography, Beyond Birth, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

€11,000

Photography, Beauty Queen, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€12,000

Photography, Unity, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 120 x 120 x 0.2 cm Photography . 47.2 x 47.2 x 0.1 inch

€15,000

Photography, Camo 44, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€10,000

Photography, Camo 46, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€11,000

Photography, Camo 41, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 150 x 100 cm Photography . 59.1 x 39.4 inch

€19,000

Photography, Dawn's Secret Embrace, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

Price upon request

Photography, A Sacred Place, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

€13,000

Photography, The Perfect Masterpiece, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Camo 36, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

Sold

Photography, A Cycle of Joy, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Photography, Prized Possessions, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 25 x 25 x 0.5 cm Photography . 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Photography, Joy Makes The Sun Rise, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Photography, Camo 27, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 150 x 100 x 0.5 cm Photography . 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Photography, Camo 50, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 150 x 100 x 1 cm Photography . 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch

Sold

Photography, Camo 45 II, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

Sold

Photography, Prized Possessions, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 25 x 25 x 0.5 cm Photography . 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Camo 38, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 inch

Sold

Photography, Maridadi, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

Sold

Photography, Tempest, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 150 x 100 x 1 cm Photography . 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch

Sold

Photography, Mama Master Chef, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

Sold

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Imperfect Perfection, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Photography, Circles Of Love, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

Sold

Photography, A Love Letter To Myself, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 90 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography . 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

Sold

Photography, Camo 16, Thandiwe Muriu

Photography . 118 x 100 x 4 cm Photography . 46.5 x 39.4 x 1.6 inch

Sold