Nicholas Sironka, a well known published artist /painter, was born in Narok in the Rift valley province of Kenya. A Maasai by tribe, he has exhibited and sold his art to a wide spectrum of private firms and organizations in Kenya, South Africa, the United States, and Europe. In addition, Sironka is a skilled illustrator, designer, and mural artist.

The Educator:
Sironka’s art interweaves the Maasai culture into large Batik images. Through workshops and seminars, Sironka teaches the techniques and history of Batik art, along with an understanding of the Maasai culture. His philosophy is that art is society, and society is the raw material from which art is made.

NOTE: Sironka may be hired to teach Maasai Culture and Batik Art classes as an artist in residence.

HIS WORK:

As a Maasai Sironka is determined to portray his people’s culture truthfully, with dignity and beauty. With this as his driving force, Sironka continues to sell several poignant and eye-catching Batiks in established galleries and hotels in Kenya, South Africa, United States of America, and United Kingdom.

SOME OF HIS BATIKS

"The Ultimate Warrior!"	"A Gift from God"
"Feed me with words"	Maasai Women
Elders pass time	Mother and child

Professional Experience: • Pre-1990 - Freelance artist and cover illustrator for magazines. • 1990 - Graphic designer and MD of LAVLI Design Graphics company. • 1992 - Art Director Jacaranda Designs, specializing in children’s books. Mcheshi goes to the market is one of a number of books containing artwork produced under his direction. • 1992 - Worked on assignment, for United Nations High Commissioner for refugees, at Kakuma, Dagahaley and Liboi refugee camps based in Kenya. Taught Somali and Sudanese refugee children how to portray their traumatic experiences through art. “One day we had to run” a book containing works by these children was published by the UNHCR. • 1993 - Asked to present an original Batik artwork to the then First Lady of the Republic of South Africa, Merike De Klerk. Other Assignments: Friends of conservation: 1994 -1995. Known as Professor Esidai, Sironka visited Maasai elementary schools and helped children paint murals on their classroom walls of their area habitat and wildlife. School of International studies Vermont: 1996 – 1997. Workshops on Maasai Culture and Batik art for International students on Exchange programs in Kenya. Cultural consultant: 1997. “Saikati the Enkabaani”, a film about a young Maasai girl aspiring to become a flying doctor.

Artistic Commissions and Exhibitions: • 1993 - Kenya National Museum, Cultural Festival workshop on Maasai Culture and Batik art. • 1994-96 - Four, one man exhibitions, including one at the British council Nairobi Kenya. • 1995 - United Nations Development Fund for Women: Sironka designed and crafted the peace torch carried by African women as a sign of unity, to the world conference for Women in Beijing China. • 1999 - Art Exhibition entitled “My people, My pride” held at the Koehler Gallery, Whitworth College Spokane Washington USA. • 2000-2001 - Received Fulbright award to teach Batik Art and Maasai Culture in the United States of America. Taught at Whitworth College in Spokane Washington State. • 2001 - Launched the “Plant a Tree Change a life Scholarship fund” for the education of Maasai girls, through individual Sponsorship from Americans. • 2002 - Founded “The Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe” (a Maasai group of dancers and Artists) and traveled to the United States of America for three months raising funds to help meet the needs of many Maasai families, and help them start living better lives. • 2003 - “Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe” members traveled to Korea for two weeks to take part in National walk. • 2003 - Participated and held Batik Art workshops at “Common Grounds on the Hill” Maryland USA. • 2004   “The Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe” members traveled to South Africa for film project. • 2005 - Friends of Sironka Dance Troupe on toured USA and United Kingdom. • 2006 - Taught Maasai Culture and Batik Art, Spring term class at Whitworth College Spokane Washington, USA. Batik art workshops 27 schools working under the “Foundation for Art and Music in Elementary school – (FAME) in Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Indiana USA. Participatory Awards:   - The Pan-African Book Fair Award for “Mcheshi goes to the Market”.   - The prestigious Jomo Kenyatta Award for “Mcheshi goes to the Market”.   - The Multicultural Publishers Exchange Book of excellence award presented in San Francisco, at the 1992 Multi Cultural Exchange Annual Convention for “Mcheshi goes to the Market”. Acting Career: Year Film Role • 1997 Tough Choices Supporting Actor • 1997 Saikati II Supporting Actor • 2000 Forgotten Police Commissioner • 2001 Karanja Supporting Actor • 2001 Cadbury's Cocoa Lead Actor • 2005 White Maasai Mini Chief - Supporting Actor • 2006 Africa Mon Amour The Sultan