His name is John Diang’a a humble 68
year man old and a former tutor at Kagumo and Kisii teachers’ college: but his neighbours simply refer to him as the
‘mad man’, he is the man who in his home in Maseno has endeavoured to bring
nature, drawings, models, arts and carvings together at a sanctuary he named
‘Pungulu Pangala’ Culinary Arts Centre. Pungulu pangala is located 20
kilometres from Kisumu along the Kisumu Busia road and is a 20minutes walk from
Maseno University.
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| John Diang’a standing next to one his most recent works in pungulu pangala |
I recently got an opportunity to visit
pungulu pangala with ‘Spoken Heart’ a BCG (Behavioural Change Group) in Maseno
University and witnessed decades of work by the talented African artist.
Pungulu pangala is not the place you drive to, because to get there you have to
leave the main road and walk as there are no paths for vehicles, you then have
to cross a railway line and a stream to get there.
Wonderful sculptures, well-tended flower
beds and trees invite you in the art centre, a step further reveals ponds where
fish swim lively, and birds chirp building nests on the trees that provide cool
shades. Then there are more art exhibition of works Mr Diang’a displayed in
every corner in the compound, in one of the huts also are traditional pendants
that he sells. In the same hut, on one wall hangs evidence of his greatness in
the form of newspaper cuttings of stories that journalists have written about
the ‘mad man’ bearing headings such as ‘Grand Warrior Of Kenya With A Passion
For Art’, ‘Mad Maseno Artist Is A Hit’: the oldest and the most recent articles
being in 1968 and 2014 respectively.
John Diang’a has transformed his
compound into a quiet art sanctuary where artists can come in for inspiration,
groups can cook and dine and families can visit for a get-away. At a fee people
interested in cooking are provided with a jiko, utensils and charcoal.His
exquisite works have also been displayed in buildings across the country and
the world. His warm heart and kindness keeps people going to pungulu pangala
and his willingness to share his wisdom with young artists has made him a
darling among artist in Maseno. Dianga’s story is a truly inspiring one, set a
date to go experience it first-hand.
P.S: I was inspired to write this story
while at Pungulu Pangala: thank you Mr Diang’a for the inspiration.
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