KENYABUZZ: How would you define Afrofuturism?OSBORNE:An artistic re-purpose of the post-colonial African narrative through integrating historical elements, present culture and future aspirations of people of colour by using narrative, fantasy and fiction to highlight African identity. It's a language of rebellion. KENYABUZZ: Did you meet anyone from the cast of Black Panther while you were working on the project?OSBORNE:(Laughs) No I didn't. This was a smaller commission outside the main movie and its cast. It was specific to cinemas in London.KENYABUZZ: Tell us about the One Source Live project in South Africa?OSBORNE:Last year Absolut South Africa recognized five creative revolutionaries in the continent they felt were making a difference in the creative scene. And I was fortunate to be one of the five. This was followed by a short film and print campaign leading up to the festival that happened in Johannesburg on the 24th of March.KENYABUZZ: The subjects in your works tend to be elderly, why is that? And is it what you want to be known for?OSBORNE:So far, the kind of stories that we have come up with and the kind of characters that we feel will strongly bring out some of the ideas we have, leaned more towards the elderly. They are not the only kind of people we work with but we do tend to explore more outside the conventional magazine quality high fashion models.KENYABUZZ: Which photographers are essential to follow on Instagram?OSBORNE:There are quite a number, but from the top of my head, I would say Carlos Serao, Joey Lawrence, Dean Bradshaw, Marcus Eriksson, Marco Grob, Art Streiber, just to name a few.KENYABUZZ: How are you handling your new-found fame?OSBORNE:I rely on my faith and the people around me to try and live a fulfilling life. By doing so, I realize that this journey is not only mine. It involves those I am fortunate to work with, what we accomplish together and the hope that it has a positive impact on those who come across it.KENYABUZZ: What is the one lesson you have taken with you from working on international platforms?OSBORNE:There is no room for mediocrity, titles or ego. Everyone knows their role and sticks to it. As a result, you have the freedom to bring your best foot forward. You must fully understand the task at hand and deliver on what you have promised to do. There is much more respect for artists/creatives because agencies/clients know why they hired you so they let you do your work.KENYABUZZ: How much money do you make from the international projects?OSBORNE:It is sustainable. International agencies/brands understand the value and impact of having a creative team execute their vision. They also do not compromise on the quality of their brands and are respectful of what it takes to bring this to life. You will be paid your dues, but you will also pay yours. Expectations are high and you must match up to what you are asking for.KENYABUZZ: Do you find it hard to say no to projects?OSBORNE:Initially I did, for financial reasons. As my spectrum of clients diversifies, I have learnt to say no to projects that I feel are either not creatively engaging, are financially unrealistic or disrespectful of my time and craft. I would rather enjoy what I do than compromise my passion for financial gain or anything else.KENYABUZZ: Is the experience at times nerve-wracking? How do you deal with that?OSBORNE:Yes, it is but you adapt with each project. I thank God for my experiences while studying for my Bachelors in Architecture. From the meticulous detailing to late nights making structural models, it all prepared me for what I have experienced thus far. Also at the end of the day we are all human, as long as I do my best, I am content.KENYABUZZ: What do the people in your life value most about you?OSBORNE:It could be that I am a very simple guy.KENYABUZZ: What piece of advice do you think should be passed down to every young person?OSBORNE:It sounds so cliché but it is true, what you feed your mind is what you become. If you know what you want to accomplish, stick to it, pray about it, plan it and execute it. Don't wait for the stars to align. Surround yourself with people who want to see you thrive, be a person who wants to thrive with others and recognize there is room for everyone because you cannot do it alone. Keep researching, modifying, experimenting, sharing and collaborating.KENYABUZZ: What is your all-time favourite movie?OSBORNE:I love post-apocalyptic movies so, definitely has to be Mad Max: Fury Road. 
Osborne Macharia: The Prince of Afrofuturism
9th May, 2018 at 3:00PM
Osborne Macharia is a photographer and digital artist who caught our attention with his colourfully striking 'Nyanye' project which gave us the memorable 'hipster' grannies in 2016. It was an unusual but eye-catching take on the elderly.Osborne traded his degree in architecture to pursue a career in photography which has seen him work with global brands such as Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, MTV Base and Samsung. In 2018, he was commissioned by Disney to create exclusive artwork for Marvel's mega-blockbuster, Black Panther. The project titled Ilgelunot (Maasai for The Chosen One) set tongues wagging from Nairobi to London with its Afrofuturistic themes that reimagine an Africa filled with arts, science and technology.We caught up with the eccentric artist to talk more about his work.KENYABUZZ: What made you fall in love with photography?OSBORNE:The works of Joey Lawrence from the (Omo Valley) series he did in Ethiopia. That was my inspirational moment and an eye-opener. This was back in 2010.KENYABUZZ: When did you get your big break as a photographer?OSBORNE:This was back in 2013 when I was fresh into commercial photography. I got a call from an agency in London. They were in the country shooting a commercial for Guinness and asked me if I was interested in shooting the print campaign. This was a dream come true. How did an agency all the way in London even know I existed?KENYABUZZ: You were commissioned by Disney to create tribute artworks for Black Panther, what did that mean for you?OSBORNE:It meant that Afrofuturism as a genre and movement has a place in mainstream entertainment, that what we are doing in the country and continent is having an influence in the rest of the world. It was exciting and such an honour to be part of such an iconic movie for my generation.KENYABUZZ: How would you define Afrofuturism?OSBORNE:An artistic re-purpose of the post-colonial African narrative through integrating historical elements, present culture and future aspirations of people of colour by using narrative, fantasy and fiction to highlight African identity. It's a language of rebellion. KENYABUZZ: Did you meet anyone from the cast of Black Panther while you were working on the project?OSBORNE:(Laughs) No I didn't. This was a smaller commission outside the main movie and its cast. It was specific to cinemas in London.KENYABUZZ: Tell us about the One Source Live project in South Africa?OSBORNE:Last year Absolut South Africa recognized five creative revolutionaries in the continent they felt were making a difference in the creative scene. And I was fortunate to be one of the five. This was followed by a short film and print campaign leading up to the festival that happened in Johannesburg on the 24th of March.KENYABUZZ: The subjects in your works tend to be elderly, why is that? And is it what you want to be known for?OSBORNE:So far, the kind of stories that we have come up with and the kind of characters that we feel will strongly bring out some of the ideas we have, leaned more towards the elderly. They are not the only kind of people we work with but we do tend to explore more outside the conventional magazine quality high fashion models.KENYABUZZ: Which photographers are essential to follow on Instagram?OSBORNE:There are quite a number, but from the top of my head, I would say Carlos Serao, Joey Lawrence, Dean Bradshaw, Marcus Eriksson, Marco Grob, Art Streiber, just to name a few.KENYABUZZ: How are you handling your new-found fame?OSBORNE:I rely on my faith and the people around me to try and live a fulfilling life. By doing so, I realize that this journey is not only mine. It involves those I am fortunate to work with, what we accomplish together and the hope that it has a positive impact on those who come across it.KENYABUZZ: What is the one lesson you have taken with you from working on international platforms?OSBORNE:There is no room for mediocrity, titles or ego. Everyone knows their role and sticks to it. As a result, you have the freedom to bring your best foot forward. You must fully understand the task at hand and deliver on what you have promised to do. There is much more respect for artists/creatives because agencies/clients know why they hired you so they let you do your work.KENYABUZZ: How much money do you make from the international projects?OSBORNE:It is sustainable. International agencies/brands understand the value and impact of having a creative team execute their vision. They also do not compromise on the quality of their brands and are respectful of what it takes to bring this to life. You will be paid your dues, but you will also pay yours. Expectations are high and you must match up to what you are asking for.KENYABUZZ: Do you find it hard to say no to projects?OSBORNE:Initially I did, for financial reasons. As my spectrum of clients diversifies, I have learnt to say no to projects that I feel are either not creatively engaging, are financially unrealistic or disrespectful of my time and craft. I would rather enjoy what I do than compromise my passion for financial gain or anything else.KENYABUZZ: Is the experience at times nerve-wracking? How do you deal with that?OSBORNE:Yes, it is but you adapt with each project. I thank God for my experiences while studying for my Bachelors in Architecture. From the meticulous detailing to late nights making structural models, it all prepared me for what I have experienced thus far. Also at the end of the day we are all human, as long as I do my best, I am content.KENYABUZZ: What do the people in your life value most about you?OSBORNE:It could be that I am a very simple guy.KENYABUZZ: What piece of advice do you think should be passed down to every young person?OSBORNE:It sounds so cliché but it is true, what you feed your mind is what you become. If you know what you want to accomplish, stick to it, pray about it, plan it and execute it. Don't wait for the stars to align. Surround yourself with people who want to see you thrive, be a person who wants to thrive with others and recognize there is room for everyone because you cannot do it alone. Keep researching, modifying, experimenting, sharing and collaborating.KENYABUZZ: What is your all-time favourite movie?OSBORNE:I love post-apocalyptic movies so, definitely has to be Mad Max: Fury Road.
KENYABUZZ: How would you define Afrofuturism?OSBORNE:An artistic re-purpose of the post-colonial African narrative through integrating historical elements, present culture and future aspirations of people of colour by using narrative, fantasy and fiction to highlight African identity. It's a language of rebellion. KENYABUZZ: Did you meet anyone from the cast of Black Panther while you were working on the project?OSBORNE:(Laughs) No I didn't. This was a smaller commission outside the main movie and its cast. It was specific to cinemas in London.KENYABUZZ: Tell us about the One Source Live project in South Africa?OSBORNE:Last year Absolut South Africa recognized five creative revolutionaries in the continent they felt were making a difference in the creative scene. And I was fortunate to be one of the five. This was followed by a short film and print campaign leading up to the festival that happened in Johannesburg on the 24th of March.KENYABUZZ: The subjects in your works tend to be elderly, why is that? And is it what you want to be known for?OSBORNE:So far, the kind of stories that we have come up with and the kind of characters that we feel will strongly bring out some of the ideas we have, leaned more towards the elderly. They are not the only kind of people we work with but we do tend to explore more outside the conventional magazine quality high fashion models.KENYABUZZ: Which photographers are essential to follow on Instagram?OSBORNE:There are quite a number, but from the top of my head, I would say Carlos Serao, Joey Lawrence, Dean Bradshaw, Marcus Eriksson, Marco Grob, Art Streiber, just to name a few.KENYABUZZ: How are you handling your new-found fame?OSBORNE:I rely on my faith and the people around me to try and live a fulfilling life. By doing so, I realize that this journey is not only mine. It involves those I am fortunate to work with, what we accomplish together and the hope that it has a positive impact on those who come across it.KENYABUZZ: What is the one lesson you have taken with you from working on international platforms?OSBORNE:There is no room for mediocrity, titles or ego. Everyone knows their role and sticks to it. As a result, you have the freedom to bring your best foot forward. You must fully understand the task at hand and deliver on what you have promised to do. There is much more respect for artists/creatives because agencies/clients know why they hired you so they let you do your work.KENYABUZZ: How much money do you make from the international projects?OSBORNE:It is sustainable. International agencies/brands understand the value and impact of having a creative team execute their vision. They also do not compromise on the quality of their brands and are respectful of what it takes to bring this to life. You will be paid your dues, but you will also pay yours. Expectations are high and you must match up to what you are asking for.KENYABUZZ: Do you find it hard to say no to projects?OSBORNE:Initially I did, for financial reasons. As my spectrum of clients diversifies, I have learnt to say no to projects that I feel are either not creatively engaging, are financially unrealistic or disrespectful of my time and craft. I would rather enjoy what I do than compromise my passion for financial gain or anything else.KENYABUZZ: Is the experience at times nerve-wracking? How do you deal with that?OSBORNE:Yes, it is but you adapt with each project. I thank God for my experiences while studying for my Bachelors in Architecture. From the meticulous detailing to late nights making structural models, it all prepared me for what I have experienced thus far. Also at the end of the day we are all human, as long as I do my best, I am content.KENYABUZZ: What do the people in your life value most about you?OSBORNE:It could be that I am a very simple guy.KENYABUZZ: What piece of advice do you think should be passed down to every young person?OSBORNE:It sounds so cliché but it is true, what you feed your mind is what you become. If you know what you want to accomplish, stick to it, pray about it, plan it and execute it. Don't wait for the stars to align. Surround yourself with people who want to see you thrive, be a person who wants to thrive with others and recognize there is room for everyone because you cannot do it alone. Keep researching, modifying, experimenting, sharing and collaborating.KENYABUZZ: What is your all-time favourite movie?OSBORNE:I love post-apocalyptic movies so, definitely has to be Mad Max: Fury Road. About The Author
28th Feb, 2019 at 11:53AM
Celebrating 'Art of Jazz' Event on International Jazz Day
11th Aug, 2020 at 9:11AM
