Gallery Hopping As Self-Care

I’ve always enjoyed going to galleries, but life got busy over the last few years and I stopped. I’ve returned to it and somewhere between craving quiet moments and chasing creativity, I have found myself walking into a white-walled room filled with colour, texture, and story and been loving every minute of it.

Nairobi’s art scene is having a moment. New galleries are popping up, experimental exhibitions are happening in unexpected spaces, and there’s a palpable energy around the city’s creative pulse.

As someone who’s always loved storytelling, it makes sense that I am drawn to visual art, but I never expected it to become one of my favourite solo pleasures.

There’s something magical about walking through a gallery alone. You get to move at your own pace. You pause where something tugs at you. You don’t have to explain why a certain piece makes you teary or why another makes you want to write a poem. It’s just you and the work. Here are a few of the galleries I enjoy visiting.

1. Ardhi Gallery

A fresh, vibrant space with a fearless spirit. Ardhi feels like a playground for bold ideas and young artists who are not afraid to push boundaries. Every time I visit, I leave buzzing with inspiration.

2. HOF Gallery

This is a vibrant and powerful space that centers local artists and community narratives. What I love most about it is how intentionally it disrupts the idea that art only belongs in elite, inaccessible spaces. Stepping into HOF feels like witnessing art in its most rooted form—raw, political, deeply personal, and proudly from the people.

3. Circle Art Gallery

Sophisticated yet inviting, Circle is where I go when I want to feel both grounded and elevated. The curation is always sharp, the work diverse, and the conversations it sparks stay with you long after you leave.

4. Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI)

Sleek, modern, and deeply intentional, NCAI is the kind of space that makes you feel part of something bigger. From archival retrospectives to contemporary installations, there’s always something new to learn and feel.

5. One Off Contemporary Art Gallery

Tucked away in the leafy quiet of Karen, One Off is like a hidden art sanctuary. It’s peaceful, beautifully curated, and perfect for a weekend escape into art and nature.

Gallery hopping has become more than a hobby, it’s a love language to myself. It’s how I reconnect, reflect, and remember that beauty still exists, even in chaos. I’ve realised that you don’t have to understand art to be moved by it.

You just have to be present and to be open.I’ve laughed, cried, and stood completely still in front of work that spoke directly to my heart, and I’ve started seeing the city differently, with more softness, curiosity, and awe.

If you’ve been thinking of dipping your toes into the gallery world, consider this your sign. Go solo. Go slow. Go often.There’s a whole universe waiting for you in these rooms of paint, light, shadow, and beauty.