Dawit L. Petros
Kenya | Sculpture, Photography
Known for his "C-Stunners" series, where he creates elaborate eyewear sculptures from found objects, exploring themes of recycling, creativity, and African urban culture.
Exhibitions
Dawit L. Petros: Spazio Disponibile
2017 - The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto, Canada
A solo exhibition where Petros explored themes of migration, colonial histories, and the movement of people across borders, particularly focusing on the historical ties between Italy and Eritrea. The title, which translates to "Available Space," reflects on the colonial ambitions and the subsequent erasures in the visual and spatial representation of history.
The Stranger’s Notebook
2016 - Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
A solo exhibition that showcased Petros’s photographic series documenting his travels across Africa, Europe, and North America. The works address the complexities of migration and identity, challenging the viewer’s perception of geographic and cultural boundaries.
Prologue: The Sea in a Thimble
2018 - Arthur Ross Architecture Gallery, Columbia University, New York, USA
This exhibition featured a large-scale installation and video works that explore the legacies of migration and displacement. Petros’s work in this exhibition emphasized the role of the Mediterranean Sea as both a literal and metaphorical space of transition for African migrants.
Recent Histories: Contemporary African Photography and Video Art
2017 - Huis Marseille Museum for Photography, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Group exhibition where Petros’s work was included, focusing on contemporary African artists who explore historical and contemporary issues through photography and video. Petros’s contributions highlighted the themes of migration, colonialism, and identity.
Dawit L. Petros: Origins in the Past, Horizons in the Future
2021 - Bamako Encounters - African Biennale of Photography, Bamako, Mali
A solo exhibition where Petros continued his exploration of migration and the legacies of colonialism, using photography and installation to trace the movements and connections between Africa, Europe, and North America.
Carry Forward
2019 - Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Canada
Group exhibition that included Petros’s work, exploring the themes of memory, history, and cultural identity. His contributions focused on the diasporic experience and the ways in which history shapes contemporary identity.