Billy Kisia, Arise again, 30 by 38cm, ball pen
A woman embodying the essence of resilience will persist until she achieves victory. Even when she stumbles, she consistently gets back up, determined to overcome challenges and fight for what is just. Women possess exceptional and almost superhuman qualities, often working quietly behind the scenes to ensure triumph. This artwork aims to acknowledge the profound determination of a woman on the verge of unleashing her inner strength and resilience.
Billy Kisia, Peril, 32 by 40 cm, graphite pencils
This artwork challenges the issue of women facing assaults, shedding light on the dangers they endure. It highlights their limited freedom of expression and their struggle to assert themselves during difficult situations due to the prevailing dominance of harmful men in society.
My name is Billy Kisia (B.K arts). I was born on 29th August 1997 in Moi’s Bridge, Uasin Gishu county. At the age of 3, I went to Baraka Academy nursery school for two years. I transferred to AIC Tenai Primary school where I attended until I completed the primary education. When I was about 9 years old, I started being passionate to drawing. I spent a lot of time trying to create drawings. My fellow students and teachers from primary school realized that I was passionate to drawing. Whenever a drawing was to be made I was called. This passion grew in within me, and more recognizable as a talent. I did my first KCPE examination in 2011, I got good marks to push to the next level. But unfortunately my parents didn’t have enough money to pay for secondary education fees. Instead of staying at home, I was told to just repeat, which I did in 2012 and made it even better, I scored higher marks than previous year. That time round I joined a high school named Kivaywa High School. It was the school of my choice, because of its best performing records and it had Art and Design subject.
I joined the school where I was performing excellently. My art teacher recognized my capabilities, loved how I drew and inspired me more while exploring the field of art. After two years I got a health complication which forced me to transfer to a school near home namely Eshikulu Secondary School. It was hard to catch up, and I also did not find my best subject there. Instead I got Drawing and Design which majorly constituted technical drawing techniques. I had to learn it from the start and made my way to pursue it.
In 2016 I did my first KSCE examination, and unfortunately I did not get a good grade to push me to university. I again repeated the following year and fortunate enough I made it to university. I was glad and honored to be chosen by the best university in Kenya, and among the best in the world, University of Nairobi. I chose to study Bachelor of Art and Design, where I got to learn more things in design industry, besides my drawing abilities. After two years I also got a health complication and fees problem. Nevertheless that time there was a COVID19 pandemic which affected most of the activities. Students were forced to go home and attend online classes. For me I went home and forgot about school because of issues that had succumbed be. After two years at home, I again made up my mind to complete my university studies. I came back to retake second years studies which I had failed previously.
During the two years that I was at home I made tremendous practices in drawing. I created a lot of drawings during that time. Moreover I used to get clients whom I would charge a certain amount to make an artwork for them. I survived through this, in terms of catering for myself and parents as well. Fortunate enough I had mastered the four mediums that is graphite pencils, ball pen, coloured pencils and painting. My colleagues were impressed by my artworks and they still are. I share my artworks on social media and also decided to create Youtube channel when I showcase my drawing process. Up to this day I still make artworks, it has been through a lot of practice to master drawing. It has not always been easy but I have done what I had to do to make it. My goal in art field is to create inspiration to others, console and show love and change the world through design. It has been a long journey and I still have more miles to go. Perfectly as the saying goes ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’.