Akili

Cyrus Kabiru

Working across sculpture, photography, and fashion, Cyrus Kabiru transforms trash into objects that grapple with issues of consumerism and waste. A self-taught artist, Kabiru rose to prominence with his “C-stunners,” a series of whimsical eyewear sculptures meticulously crafted from debris he sourced from the streets of Nairobi and beyond. The artist’s wearable pieces—made in the tradition of Hélio Oiticica’s “Parangolés”—have caught the attention of figures from Mos Def to Duro Olowu, who has curated shows featuring Kabiru’s spectacles. The artist has also documented his work in bold self-portraits. Approaching his materials with a nondiscriminating eye, he’s built sculptures with discarded items like bottle caps, utensils, radios, and bicycle parts. His assemblages examine our collective impact on the environment while envisioning a better course for humanity.