Mokoro by Kristin-Lee Moolman and Louise Ford

A collaborative multimedia exploration of the sanctuary of sisterhood by Kristin-Lee Moolman and Louise Ford. Produced and supported by Farago Projects. Featuring the work of Joan Otieno and the studio of Warembo Wasanii in Korogocho, Nairobi.

Korogocho (Swahili for standing shoulder-to-shoulder) is one of the largest informal neighborhoods in Kenya. 1.5 square km in size and home to 200,000, there are few people to protect the vulnerable in a male dominated society where power reigns supreme.

The world within the walls of Warembo Wasanii provides a stark contrast to this environment...as you cross the threshold from the street into the studio, a veil of calm descends and you no longer feel endangered by your feminine form.

Mokoro meaning ‘mother’ in sheng reflects the artistic refuge women can create for each other, this is the sanctuary that Joan Otieno and Warembo Wasanii provide for the girls of Korogocho.

In a space where new concepts, progressive ideas and personal stories can be shared in a protected environment, Joan, founder and mentor, teaches her female students how to create intricately designed garments using discarded plastic polymers sourced from the nearby landfills. The pieces are made in solidarity, together the girls dedicate time to sourcing materials for themselves and their creative sisters.

The visuals of Mokoro, portraying the girls and their garments were created by the duo of stylist Louise Ford, and photographer Kristin-Lee Moolman, featuring hair stylist Yann Turchi and curators Emmanuelle Atlan (Farago Projects) and Sophie Strobele (ERE). It was Louise and Kristin-Lee who first presented the concept and commission to Joan whilst in Kenya in 2019 producing 28 HATS FOR LAMU, a series of images documenting the competitors in the Shela Hat Contest, an event in which entrants create hats from material that would otherwise be thrown away. They spent a year marshaling resources and assembling the right team to bring Mokoro to life. This included Sophie Strobele, co-founder of ERE, a French-based philanthropic organization started in response to a demand for accountability from creatives in the fashion industry. “We favor projects that are impactful and positive, while being creatively convincing. And this project just reunited all of that. There was a creative intent connected to a cause,” she says. Sophie collaborated with  Emmanuelle Atlan from Farago Projects, a creative production company, specialized in the fashion industry, that has been offering its services to support creative teams through special projects such as Mokoro. Together they curated the collaborative multimedia exhibition, uniting photographs, video, sound and sculptural pieces, recreating the inspiring sanctuary of the art studio Warembo Wasanii.

Parallel to the exhibition, ERE and Farago Projects are working to supply short and long term support and exposure to Warembo Wasanii, assisting them in developing their skill sets and laying groundwork for future collaborations with fashion houses and other creative spaces. And as for the November 2021 shoot that finally made Mokoro a reality, Louise shares, “It was a true team collaboration, Kristin scouted for locations around the atelier and throughout Nairobi, finding unique settings to build the world of Mokoro."

The girls were always closely escorted by Joan, translating Kristin’s movement directions when necessary and making sure they felt comfortable and confident. Emmanuelle and Sophie accompanied us on the shoot, interviewing Joan and the girls to fully understand the extent of this project and tell the story in all its strength,” says Louise, who grew up between Zimbabwe and Kenya and whose art direction and styling work shine through the project.

Mokoro

Dates: June 23rd-25th

Venue: Gallery Mercier et Associes, 3 Rue Dupont de L’Eure, 75020 Paris

Time: Opening night 23.06 | 7pm-11pm | 24 - 25.06 | 11am-7pm

Credits

Presented by: ERE

Photography + Video: Kristin Lee-Moolman

Art Direction + Styling: Louise Ford

Hair: Yann Turchi

Artists and Talents: Joan Otieno and members of Warembo Wasanii Art Studio: Nzelani, Risper, Lourine, Marion, Barbara, Rose, Brenda, Idah, Vero, Amina, Wanja, Nancy, Phanice, Emma.

Creative Direction: Kristin Lee-Moolman, Louise Ford

Exhibition commissioner: Sophie Strobele

Curated by: Emmanuelle Atlan and Sophie Strobele

Writer: Wanjeri Gakuru

Supported and Produced by: Farago Projects