Biography

Shabu Mwangi was the oldest boy of 12 siblings in a single mother household. Due to financial struggles, Shabu was forced to help provide for his family at a very early age. He collected plastic and scrap metal from the landfill and sold them to earn money for the family. With all of these additional responsibilities, Shabu’s education was negatively impacted. He struggled to complete assignments and eventually was kicked out of school. By age 12, he was living on the streets. While on the streets, Shabu recalled that the art classes in his school were some of his fondest memories. He began to paint as a way to express himself. At 17 years old, Shabu enrolled in art school at the Mukuru Art Centre (MAC). MAC’s founder recognized Shabu’s potential and offered him a job in the Centre’s art gallery and shop. The opportunity transformed Shabu’s life and helped him become a true community leader. After graduation in 2007, he and his friends founded the Wajukuu Art Project to continue their artwork as well as teach art to others. Through Wajukuu, Shabu seeks to give these youth something he never had – a positive role model. He does everything he can to inspire the kids in his community so they can express themselves and are motivated to help others. He wants these children to not only improve their lives but to be in a position to provide their own children with better opportunities. 

Founded in 2007, the Wajukuu Art Project is a youth initiative project to support the arts and provide positive opportunities for youth in the community. Since its founding, over 400 children and youth have come to Wajukuu. In addition to art classes, children can receive academic help at Wajukuu’s small library and join in physical exercise including football and yoga. Wajukuu wants to expand its services and inspire the youth to make their communities and the world a better place. In addition to his work at Wajukuu Art Project, Shabu is a successful gallery artist. He completed his first two exhibitions in 2009-2010 with a local artist organization called Atoobe. From there, his popularity grew. Shabu has successfully done five solo exhibitions and seven group exhibitions. His work has been shown internationally in Germany, London, UK, and Washington D.C.