NAIROBI'Z BLOGAZINE: FRANK ODOI RE-LIVED AT ALLIANCE FRANCAISE…

From Tuesday July 15^th to the 19^th; the late iconic Ghanaian African comics artist; Frank Odoi; who came from Ghana and made Kenya his home; has been re-lived at the Alliance Francaise in Nairobi.

Tuesday night was the official launch night with dignitaries and media personnel making time to attend and bid from his art works?

The MC for the night was Classic FM’s Nick Odhiambo; who treated the art lovers to a great night of jokes; humor and fun bidding while cracking their ribs up.

Also in attendance was Machakos County Governor; Dr. Alfred Mutua; who out bid others to take home a self-portrait for KES 40,000.

The event was graced by fellow cartoonists; Gaddo, Maddo and Kham; as well as Standard newspaper columnist and publisher; Mr. Barrack Muluka.

EARLY LIFE…

Frank Odoi settled in Kenya over 30 years ago from his native Ghana. His work has appeared in various newspapers in the East African region including- THE DAILY NATION; THE STANDARD; THE STAR and THE DAILY MONITOR.

His comics have also been published in Finland. One of the most celebrated of his works is AKOKHAN, THE “SWORD AND SORCERY” comics series; that ran in Kenyan newspapers and found a home at Kenway Publisher as a book.

This is what defined him as a peer of the great comics artists of Europe and West Africa and from which this exhibition draws its title.

Frank died on April 21, 2012; in traffic accident in Nairobi when he was just embarking on several more publishing projects and just after the Kenya Government had finally granted him citizenship.

He left behind a widow; Monicah Carol; three daughter, Maureen; Francesca, and Francine; and 4 young grandchildren. All of them were able to attend the art sale exhibition and even had a chance to talk to the public.

The artist’s original artworks and digital prints being offered for sale to the art and culture loving public; saw proceeds going to his family for the education of his grandchildren.

The event also featured a 50 minute video documentary-THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FRANK ODOI; that contained amazing never seen before archival footage of the late artist.

All in all; it was a well-organized event. Free cocktails for the guests and bonding over chips and nuts just made it even more fun. The event was supported by Alliance Francaise; Oxford University Press; 4D innovative; East African Educational Publishers and Buni Media.