Sample Page - April Kamunde

“Two Truths Can Exist at Once”, acrylic on handstitched viscose fabric, installation, 2025.

May 7, 2026

When I first adopted the Dera/Dirac in my work in 2022, I was amused at the contrasting (oftentimes unsolicited) feedback I’d receive in response to the dress. Majority of the femmes loved it as much as I do, but there were also substantial “dera-haters” and with them “anti-dera” opinions served.

Two Truths Can Exist At Once.

For the last 2 1/2 years, I’ve explored rest as my subject matter through my painting practice. The Dera (Dirac), has served as my chosen motif for this work. With time, my exploration led me to see it beyond the margins of rest; I began to approach it more holistically, using it as a lens to explore the nuanced, and oftentimes contradictory experiences of women in our region.
Is it a:
Leisure dress or Labour dress?
Modest gown or Sensual gown?
“Lazy” dress or “Wife Material” dress?
etc etc…

“DIRAC: The Working Dress”
Video, 08:35 minutes,
2024-2025.

An ideal dress for rest, but also a great dress to work in and get sh*t done.

April 27, 2026 No Comments

in the studio: april kamunde in conversation with rosie olang’ odhiambo and sharon neema

April 27, 2026

After 17 years of working on portrait commissions, April Kamunde transitioned to full-time practice in 2020. Her work has been shown in the group exhibitions Walking the Edge (Afriart Gallery, 2022), Shapes of Water (Afriart Gallery, 2023), and Eastern Voices; Contemporary Art from East Africa (Addis Fine Art,London, 2023).