18/01/2026
Sheila Bayley (b. 1986) is a self-taught Kenyan contemporary artist based in Nairobi. Her practice is distinguished by a bold and highly recognizable visual language, characterized by vibrant colour palettes, layered conceptual figuration, and intricate surface patterning.
Bayley’s works are structured through strong, dark linear frameworks that define form while simultaneously fragmenting it into rhythmic shapes and symbolic motifs. These densely populated compositions explore human psychology, relationships, and social narratives, creating immersive visual spaces that invite prolonged engagement.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from United States International University–Africa, Bayley draws inspiration from personal experiences, the nature–nurture dynamic, and everyday life events, examining how these forces shape human behaviour. Through her creative practice, she explores questions of identity and the ongoing quest for an evolved sense of self.
Bayley works primarily with acrylic on canvas, paper, and board. She has a deep commitment to the development of the arts in East Africa and envisions the creation of an education system centered on art as both a life skill and a viable career path.
In 2021, she was a guest artist at the Kobo Trust Open Studio Art Sale & Exhibition in Nairobi. She held her first solo exhibition in 2023 at Peponi Hotel, followed by her second solo exhibition in 2025 at Under the Swahili Tree, Nairobi. Her first international exhibition took place in 2023 at Gallery Brulhart, Geneva, Switzerland. In 2025, she was featured in On Behalf Of…, a group exhibition presented by Latitudes Online (Latitude Centre for the Arts) in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has also participated twice in the Affordable Art Show organized by the National Museums of Kenya.
Her works are held in private collections both locally and internationally, including those in Zanzibar, Miami, New York, New Orleans, Paris, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With an advancing career, Bayley remains open to local and international collaborations, residencies, and exhibition opportunities.
