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Self-taught Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru ( previously) fashions extravagant eyewear from pieces of found metal and other salvaged materials on the streets of his hometown of Nairobi. Kabiru has been building his futuristic glasses since childhood, and dedicates much of his time to producing works for his C-Stunner series of eyeglasses and coordinating photographs. Recently Kabiru has begun to expand his work to include large non-body-based sculptures, installations, and collage.

Kabiru's practice is deeply tied to Afrofuturism, a genre that combines science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction with the culture and politics of the African diaspora. His work was featured in the newly released Gestalten publication Africa Rising: Fashion, Design and Lifestyle from Africa. You can see more of his eyewear and larger sculptures on Artsy and SMAC.

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New Sculptural Eyewear Produced From Salvaged Street Metal and Found Objects by Cyrus Kabiru

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Self-taught Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru (previously) fashions extravagant eyewear from pieces of found metal and other salvaged materials on the streets of his hometown of Nairobi. Kabiru has been building his futuristic glasses since childhood, and dedicates much of his time to producing works for h

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"I grew up surrounded by a lot of trash," says Cyrus Kabiru of his childhood. "The biggest dumpsite in Nairobi was right opposite my house. I used to tell my dad, 'When I grow up I'll give trash a second chance'. I used to feel like trash also needs a chance to live."

Taking his inspiration from a story his father tells of breaking his glasses as a child and being told off by his grandmother, Kabiru, now 34, saw an artistic opportunity to use the rubbish.

To me, being an Afrofuturist is a mix of creativity from different continents

He says: "For me it was a challenge to make them like real glasses. People used to compare them to masks. But they are not masks. I call them the C-Stunners. C for Cyrus, and stunners because they are stunning."

His increasing success in the art world has afforded Kabiru the opportunity to travel and to expand his collection of found objects.

He says: "When I go to London, I'll pick up trash. I always pick up trash from different continents. If I make an artwork with European trash, my work will look newer, so I try to combine old Kenyan trash and new European trash.

"People are now calling me an Afrofuturist. To me, being an Afrofuturist is a mix of creativity from different continents."
Cyrus' work was showcased from 2 All images courtesy of Cyrus Kabiru. - 4 November 2018 at ART X Lagos, and will travel to Kochi-Muziris Biennale, from 12 December 2018 - 29 March 2019.

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BBC Arts - BBC Arts - Specs appeal: The artist creating amazing eyewear from rubbish

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"I grew up surrounded by a lot of trash," says Cyrus Kabiru of his childhood. "The biggest dumpsite in Nairobi was right opposite my house. I used to tell my dad, 'When I grow up I'll give trash a second chance'. I used to feel like trash also needs a chance to live."

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I AM A TIKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is the best I could do for a tiki,

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C-stunner, YEAH!!!

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bootiful

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my c-stunner and poem, watch the video!

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langston

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this is bad

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trgtrjngt

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ha

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plain and simple,
showing no pimples
its fine,
and it's mine
i hate it,
and in this little skit,
life is a balancing act

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Mira

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robot matt

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egd

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Mr. Ablao

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I didn't want to do the whole thing because it would take to long but both the glasses are the same

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*sad violin music playing

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Tilburg Sun, 2017

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LIS GOOOOOOOOOOO

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link

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at the dot 2017

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Tilburg

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lahlan

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Dadab, 2017

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Eygipt peacock

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kai
ah, it protects you
from bad, dealdly gasses. yes.
very good protect.

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I tried

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Tilburg Sun, 2017