Future of Work: In Images - Purity

MEET PURITY

Having unexpectedly discovered her talent after finishing school, Purity has built a business that provides her sole source of income and supports her mental well-being.

Purity’s journey as a professional painter began after an encounter with an elderly man. His mentorship and encouragement, together with gifts of used canvases and paint, inspired Purity to begin her journey as a full-time artist in Mombasa.

A significant portion of Purity’s clients come through referrals from satisfied customers, but to further promote and sell her work, Purity also hawks her paintings in the streets. Purity experiences many challenges in being a professional painter, not least of which is gender bias which can lead to unfair pay.

“I encounter scepticism about my work, and at times, I receive less compensation simply because I am a female artist.”
Purity

Purity aspires to create a free art gallery in Mombasa, offering a space where artists can showcase their work without some of the social and financial barriers that she has had to overcome.

Purity didn’t know if she had the ability to draw until she completed her O levels.

Purity Amina “I aspire to establish a free art space in Mombasa, providing an opportunity for everyone to showcase their work without any barriers.”

Purity Amina “I sought guidance from an elderly man to learn the art of painting. He handed me used canvases, provided some paint, and simply told me to start.”

Purity Amina “This work is my sole source of income, providing for all my needs. It is my only job.”

Purity Amina “Painting serves as a therapeutic outlet for individuals facing challenges, particularly those related to mental health.”

Purity Amina hawks her paint work in the streets to be financial stable.

The importance of the informal economy in Kenya cannot be overstated; it accounts for 24% of Kenya’s GDP and also employs five times more workers than the formal economy.

TRANSFORM has been working to understand the current realities and future possibilities for the millions of entrepreneurial Kenyans who hustle to sustain livelihoods across the informal economy (read more about the context of the work here).

Brink, Procol Africa, Busara, Laterite, Ideas Unplugged, and TRANSFORM have collaborated throughout to deliver this work, alongside hundreds of ecosystem actors and informal economy entrepreneurs.

These blogs offer an insight into the lives of some informal workers we spoke to over the course of the project, told through images.