Pamoja, Artist Residency, Kasbah Lamu, Kenya, Februar 2024

It was an extraordinary pleasure to present my contribution as Artist in Residency at the Kasbah Art Show on Lamu Island/ Kenya in the form of one of my large hats. This hat represents a further development of my previous hat works. In terms of content, I am always concerned with the power of connection. In a time characterised by distance and division, this interactive installation reminds us to cherish and celebrate shared moments.

“Pamoja, we have a dream. Amani”  Room Installation by Lili & Jesko in which I was invited to participate with the large hat.

I would also like to thank the highly esteemed craftsmen on Lamu Island. The metal base was made by Salim Mirza in Lamu town, while Athman Mohamed spent many days making the straw mats and sewing the hat together by hand. Many thanks go to Mafreeza and the lovely Kasbah Boys for skilfully hanging the hat on the large Acra tree in the Kasbah Art Shop, where the weather will now continue to transform the hat.

But my biggest thanks go to @herbertmenzer (founder of shela-hat-contest.com) who invited me to enter the magical world of Lamu, Kenya, for the artist residency at Kasbah Lamu.

This experience has enriched me immeasurably.