Joseph Bertiers

Joseph Mbatia Bertiers
Joseph Bertiers, in front of his own artwork, 2016
Born1963 (age 62–63)
Kenya
OccupationPainter

Joseph Mbatia Bertiers (born 1963) is a Kenyan painter and sculptor. He is best known for his imaginative depictions of political history and life-size scrap metal sculptures.

In 2006, Bertiers was selected to participate in Dak’Art and won first prize at a national competition for contemporary art organized by Alliance Française and the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi. His artwork has been exhibited across Africa, Europe, and North America.

Education

Joseph studied at the YMCA Craft Training Centre and began working as a sign writer.[citation needed]

Career

He began his artistic career at the age of 18, he painted signs for local bars, butchers and beauty parlors.  He created a character called “Mr. No Credit”, designed to discourage customers from asking for free services.

References

  1. ↑ Bertiers, Joseph (1998). Dateline Kenya : the media paintings of Joseph Bertiers. Pilar Perez, Track Gallery and Mainspace. Santa Monica, CA: Smart Art Press. ISBN 1-889195-20-0. OCLC 39200714.
  2. ↑ WA GACHERU, MARGARETTA. "'Bertiers' chronicles Kenya's post-independence events". Business Daily Africa. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  3. ↑ Hughes, Henry Meyric (2006). "Agreements, Allusions, and Constructive Misunderstandings". African Arts. 39 (4): 58–59. doi:10.1162/afar.2006.39.4.58 (inactive 25 September 2025). ISSN 0001-9933. JSTOR 20447793.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of September 2025 (link)
  4. ↑ Perrée, Rob. "Joseph Bertiers, Kenya". Africanah.org. Africanah. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Joseph Bertiers | The Irreverent, World Famous Artist from Kenya Painter Sculptor Art Commentator". Ernie Wolfe Gallery. Retrieved 2025-12-14.