Dawn or Demise: Images from Sub-Saharan Africa
Published on May 09, 2025
Karen Buttwinick presents Dawn or Demise: Images from Sub-Saharan Africa, on view through July 17 at the Foyer Gallery located at 1249 Marin Avenue, Albany, CA. This solo show features 16 paintings inspired by a trip to Kenya, exploring fragile ecosystems, threatened wildlife, and the effects of climate change.
Created in response to a visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy—a leading wildlife refuge in East Africa—the work blends photography, collage, and encaustic to evoke both beauty and urgency. The exhibit comes amid recent USAID funding cuts that threaten decades of conservation progress across Africa, including anti-poaching and habitat preservation programs. The featured image highlights Kenya’s national bird, Kambu, whose vibrant plumage symbolizes the country’s rich cultural diversity. In some communities, it is also seen as a symbol of unity—making it especially resonant in today’s politically divided world.