Wakaba Mutheki

Biography

Wakaba (Anthony) Mutheki (born 1973) is a Kenyan-born South African painter known for hyperrealistic portraits and scenes. Born in Nakuru, Kenya, he moved to South Africa and began drawing as a child. His breakthrough came as he rose from living in a Johannesburg shelter less than a decade ago to international recognition. Mutheki's style, often called ultra-realism or hyperrealism, features intensely detailed images of everyday life, especially children at play or work. His vibrant use of color and careful rendering of skin tones and textures make his paintings highly lifelike. Today he holds exhibitions around the world and has become one of South Africa's most acclaimed contemporary artists.