Paul Onditi in Venice: A Journey Through Encoded Consciousness at AKKA Project

This spring, AKKA Project in Venice opens its doors to Encoded Consciousness, a striking exhibition by Kenyan artist Paul Onditi. Best known for his layered, mixed-media works that blend digital techniques with recycled materials, Onditi invites us to explore questions of identity, globalization, and the psyche—through the ever-evolving lens of his alter ego, Smokey.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Paul during the opening week of his exhibition to learn more about the man behind the work, the materials he uses, and the messages woven into each piece.

22 April 2025
  • “My name is Paul Onditi... I’m a painter, specifically.” Paul introduces himself with quiet confidence. Representing Kenya at the 2017...
    Paul Onditi at AKKA Project during the opening of "Encoded Consciousness"

    “My name is Paul Onditi... I’m a painter, specifically.”

    Paul introduces himself with quiet confidence. Representing Kenya at the 2017 Venice Biennale, Onditi is no stranger to the international art stage. In Encoded Consciousness, he continues to reflect on the global condition and how it influences both individual identity and collective consciousness.

  • “When you talk about globalization, it’s got elementaries that come with it,” he explains. “One of them is the use...
    Detail from "Encoded Consciousness"—QR codes embedded in layered media
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    “When you talk about globalization, it’s got elementaries that come with it,” he explains. “One of them is the use of QR codes. Whether you're in Africa, Europe, or America, you use them to access product information, regulations, everything. It's a global language.”

    Incorporating QR codes into his art is Onditi’s way of making this invisible, digital thread visible—tangibly embedded in the layered surfaces of his work.

  • Meet Smokey: The Alter Ego
    Smokey—Paul Onditi’s recurring alter ego in "Encoded Consciousness"
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    Meet Smokey: The Alter Ego

    If you’ve seen Onditi’s work, you’ve met Smokey—a shadowy figure that appears again and again, walking through hazy, often chaotic landscapes.

    “Smokey is an alter ego. It could be me; it could be anyone. He represents the state of the human mind,” Paul shares. “In any evolution or change, the mind must exist. Smokey is that representation.”

    Over the years, Smokey has undergone subtle transformations.

    “Anatomically, he evolves—sometimes a shift in the shoulders, sometimes his posture changes depending on the mood of the piece. There’s definitely growth in him.”

  • A Unique Medium with a Message
    Onditi at the studio

    A Unique Medium with a Message

    What truly sets Onditi apart is his use of synthetic materials and his commitment to recycling.

    “Since 2011, I’ve worked on a synthetic sheet—it’s plastic, so it doesn’t rot or rust. I use transfer techniques, passion ink, dyes, and oil color. These are materials I’ve come to understand deeply.”

    Even when a piece doesn’t feel right, it’s not discarded. It’s kept, stored, and possibly reborn in a future work.

    “If I’m not satisfied, I roll it up and keep it. Maybe one day I’ll reuse it. That’s how I recycle—by giving the material another chance within a different narrative.”

  • Local Influence, Global Impact

    As someone who’s achieved international recognition, we asked Paul how his career has impacted the local art community in Nairobi and beyond.

    “Of course, it means a lot to show abroad, but it’s also about staying connected. I’m very involved with other artists in Nairobi—we share ideas, spaces, and sometimes struggles. It’s important to grow together.”

    His journey serves as both inspiration and roadmap for younger artists navigating the East African art scene.

  • Before leaving, Paul leaves us with a thought that lingers: 

     

    “Nothing is new under the sun. What you see today has been there before. So, keep life easy and simple.”

     

    Wise words from a man who layers complex ideas with quiet elegance—one recycled sheet at a time.

     

  • Selected works