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... our journey from Naivasha to Kisumu to Kitui to Shimoni and finally back to Nairobi to catch our light back to chilly england

Kisumu to Kitui

Yesterday we visited Kibuye market with a friend who lives locally, Jerry, his help was greatly appreciated  finding out this market stretched over several kilometers a locals knowledge was necessary. We have been so lucky to find a lady who uses the gourds on her stall functionally to measure unga, and also decorates them, turning them into more of a tourist attraction as well as lamp shades that would often be used in homes around Kisumu...

... these four gourds bought from Winchester farmers market (thank you SO much Andy) instilled the travelling bug in me. Their corybantic forms are just awesome and to find out that they are actually used functionally here in Kenya was an adventure to interesting to be missed... So here i am in Kisumu, off out in a bit to watch the sun go down over the city and have a gander at some market stalls to get a better idea of where to explore tomorrow...

So the plan is...

Project proposal form for Victoria Lafford

Student No:

Practical:

·      Timescale- Leaving Winchester on the 8^th of December and returning on the 20^th of December. Spending 10 days in Kisumu, Kenya.

·      Money - Travel and all living cost will all be covered by myself.

·      Materials and ‘loan store’- I will arrange to either borrow or purchase the necessary materials. E.g. video camera and Dictaphone

Why:

·     My studio practice has been based around working with organic forms (mostly Gourds, native of Africa). Researching the origins of these and their practical values within communities throughout Kenya, i feel it would be a great opportunity and so valuable for my practice when returning to see these plants being utilised domestically.

Methodology:

·     I have been inspired by the work of Anna Lucas, her spontaneity highlighted in her visit to the desert in search of the Rose of Jericho, has given me this drive to complete this visit to Kenya and successfully documenting my findings to fuel my practice back at WSA.

·     I plan to document using video, voice recording, drawing, photography and would like to develop a questionnaire for locals who use the plant (Gourd) .

I also propose to exhibit my experiences and findings here at WSA on my return.