193 Gallery is proud to share that Beyond Birth, a powerful and emblematic work by Kenyan artist Thandiwe Muriu, now joins the prestigious UNESCO Art Collection. Launched in the 1950s with the creation of UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters, this global collection features masterpieces by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Alexander Calder. Today, it holds over 700 works and celebrates artistic diversity from around the world.
Beyond Birth clearly continues that legacy. First presented at 193 Gallery in 2023, the piece reflects the richness and complexity of womanhood. Importantly, through this work Thandiwe Muriu challenges limited cultural definitions and she shares a message of inclusion, resilience and the need for space where all women can thrive.
On the other hand, 193 Gallery is dedicated to championing global voices. Since 2018, the gallery has showcased contemporary art from Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. In addition, it fosters cross-cultural dialogue through exhibitions and regular participation in international art fairs like 1-54 London, Art Genève, Untitled Miami and Paris Photo.
About the Artist
Thandiwe Muriu was born in Nairobi in 1990. She began exploring photography at just 14 years old. By her early 20s , she had become one of Kenya’s few professional advertising photographers. In 2020, she launched her Camo series, which uses Ankara fabrics and common household objects to explore identity and heritage. These portraits use no digital effects. Instead, they blend the subject with vibrant backdrops to create striking optical illusions.
