The Documentary Podcast Mika Obanda: Mosaic art
May 11, 2026
Mika Obanda, a Kenyan visual artist from Mukuru who makes mosaics from painted eggshells and creates charcoal and pastel works. He discusses his eggshell technique and the therapeutic rhythm of making art. He explains the Trying to Blossom series, the studio fire and how community support helped him rebuild. He also shares themes of growth, self-portraits and artworks addressing women's rights in Nairobi's settlements.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Making Mosaics From Painted Eggshells
- Mika built mosaics from painted eggshells collected from Nairobi hotels and dries and strengthens them with thick acrylic and glue before slicing.
- He painstakingly sticks each piece with a bamboo skewer, a process he says can take months and feels therapeutic.
Art As Personal Activism In Trying To Blossom
- Mika's Trying to Blossom series places his own experience at the centre to explore growth amid slum hardships like police brutality and misused public funds.
- He deliberately frames social and personal trauma through colourful, consumable artworks to invite broader engagement.
How Eggshell Art Replaced A Troubled Path
- Mika discovered eggshell mosaics at a new school art room and practised by collecting shells from the riverside until his teacher praised his work.
- That early approval helped art replace destructive habits and became a turning point in his life.