Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Paul Kidero, and I’m a 23-year-old visual artist focusing on photography, based in Nairobi, Kenya. I first picked up a camera around six years ago, after an even longer time as a hobbyist.
As an artist, how do you define yourself?
I’m a portrait photographer, and I’ve always been interested in people and the range of different emotions they are capable of embodying. I like to get people to talk about themselves and in so doing I discover their essence.
Who influenced you?
I look to the work of tons of photographers for inspiration, closer home, Mutua Matheka, Jaydabliu and Asayf are some of the first photographers who’s work pushed me to take my craft seriously, and as I learnt more about what I liked to shoot, I found Platon, Lee Jefferies, Bastiaan Wouldt and Annie Liebovitz’s work to be very inspiring as well.
Which artists do you admire?
I’m currently learning more about graphic design and I really like the work of modernist artists like the chaos in Pollock’s work and the introspection in some of Picasso’s earlier works, like the Nude, Green Leaves and Bust.
In Africa, contemporary Kenyan artists such as Maina Boniface and Peteros Ndunde. I’m still on the journey of incorporating all these visual stimuli into my photography.
What does your work reflect?
I could say, a state of now for each subject, and my understanding of humanity and how it’s represented, especially black people.
The idea that my work can one day ignite a global conversation, much like what Platon’s work does at the moment with his portraits of leaders and yet to be known stories.
How do you work?
It’s pretty standard, I photograph people I find interesting and that has yielded some amazing results!
When I’m processing the image in either lightroom or photoshop and seeing it all fall into place.
Which step do you like the most in the process of realization?
Not always, I tend to be very spontaneous and I go with the flow.
Which of your creations do you like the most?
Such a hard question! I love all my work.
What are your current projects?
I am embarking on a long term project with some underrepresented communities in Nairobi. It will be my first series and I cannot wait for you all to see it!
