Community

Supporting Anselimo Arts: drawing tools for a Marakwet artist

Talent in Marakwet is not only on the pitch. We supported Anselimo Arts with drawing tools and some cash, and he brought a hand-drawn portrait to the second MOMI football tournament final.

MOMI Admin7 May 2023 2 min read

Anselimo presenting his framed pencil portrait at the second MOMI football tournament final

Talent in Marakwet is not only found on the football pitch. Some of it is found on paper, one pencil line at a time.

The artist

Anselimo draws detailed pencil portraits under the name Anselimo Arts. His work is patient and precise: the texture of a beard, the fold of a collar, the light across a face, all built up by hand. He signs each piece in the corner; this one reads "Anslimo Arts, April 2023".

Close-up of a framed pencil portrait signed Anslimo Arts, April 2023 — A portrait by Anselimo Arts, April 2023

How Momi Foundation helped

Good art needs good tools. Momi Foundation supported Anselimo with drawing tools, pens and other art supplies, and some cash, so he could keep drawing, take on more work and grow his craft.

It is the same idea behind everything we do: find young people with talent in Marakwet, and remove what stands in their way, whether that is school fees, a computer, a football tournament or a set of pens.

A portrait at the tournament final

On Sunday 7 May 2023, the final day of the second MOMI football tournament, Anselimo came to the ground with one of his framed portraits, drawn the month before.

Anselimo holding his framed pencil portrait on match day — Anselimo with his portrait on match day, 7 May 2023, early afternoon

As the light faded and the prize-giving got under way, he presented the portrait in front of the players, guests and fans.

The framed portrait being presented at the evening ceremony — Presenting the portrait at the evening ceremony

Smiles as the portrait is handed over — Handed over, a gift made by hand

Creative talent counts

Talent comes in many forms. Alongside football and school, we have backed musicians recording their first songs, and now an artist with a pencil. Each one is a young person from Marakwet doing something they are good at.

More of his work

Anselimo's portraits go well beyond that one gift. This pencil portrait of Kipchumba, signed in the corner like all his work, shows the same patience: every strand of hair and every shadow built up by hand.