"Tafsiri," Opening Reception for Works by Naomi Wanjiku

Bihl Haus Arts will host an opening reception for “Tafsiri,” which means “interpretations” in the Kiswahili language of East Africa, featuring works by Kenyan-born artist Naomi Winjiku. The exhibition, which is in conjunction with Women’s History Month, Contemporary Art Month and Poetry Month SA, runs through May 5. Wanjiku will give a gallery talk at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1 at Bihl Haus.

In her work “Gitiiro,” Kenyan-born artist Naomi Wanjiku has cut, dyed and linked pieces of sheet metal to assemble her wall hanging that mimics the swaying movement of a dancer. She explained that sheet metal is used mainly for roofing materials and walls and is particularly associated with Mabati women’s groups of the 1960s in Central Kenya. They organized to improve their communities by upgrading the roofs of their homes using sheet metal.

In response to “Tafsiri (Interpretations),” which touches on environmental issues, Bihl Haus presents “Stone in Stream/Roca en el Rio,” a reading by environmental writers, artists and activists Mobi Warren, Kamala Platt, Janice Campbell, Rebecca Burroughs, Toni Falls, Jim LaVilla-Havelin y mas, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27.