Bahrain’s celebrated ‘3D couple’ is laying foundations for a new generation of artists in Kenya with their larger-than-life, culture-coded creations.
Limnesh Augustine and Jincy Babu were invited by Kenyatta University, Nairobi, for an exchange programme where they are currently staging live 3D painting demonstrations and workshops for around 50 fine art and design students.
“A major significance of this initiative is that it is the first structured 3D anamorphic painting workshop of this kind in Africa,” Indian expatriate and creative talent Mr Augustine told the GDN.
“The long-term objective is to use these paintings and the training programme as the starting point for developing a new generation of Kenyan and African 3D artists, creating new artistic, commercial and international opportunities for them,” he added, expressing his gratitude to event organiser and Kenyatta University fine art and design department chairman Dr Kamau Wango.
As part of the initiative, the pair has brought alive three artworks along with the students. The first is entitled Who’s the Giant? and measures 4.57 m × 2.44 m, encouraging spectators to alter their perspective.
“It is inspired by Kenya’s remarkable safari ants and depicts one of nature’s smallest creatures as a giant. It celebrates the extraordinary strength, teamwork and organisation hidden beneath our feet. Ant societies vastly outnumber us and thrive through co-operation – reminding us that being powerful is not always about being big,” he explained.
“For once, the human might just be the one inside the jar!”
Safari ants are found primarily in central and east Africa and are known for their fierce defence game against active attack. Seasonally, when food supplies become short, these creatures leave the ant hill and form marching columns of up to 20,000,000 units – a considerable threat to humans. However, local communities like the Maasai are known to benefit from their presence, praying on pests and protecting crops.
Appealing to the duo’s passion for wildlife, the safari ant presents the ideal muse as does the lion in their second artwork entitled A King Without Borders, measuring 5.49 m × 5.79 m.
“The lion may be called the ‘king of the jungle’, but his kingdom was never confined to one land. From the great savannas of Africa, the lion’s story once stretched through to the Middle East, all the way to India. Today, that ancient kingdom survives at its two distant ends: the wild landscapes of Africa, home to roughly 20,000 to 25,000 lions, and the Gir landscape of Gujarat, India, where the last wild Asiatic lion population has grown to 891 lions as of 2025.
“Our 3D painting brings that journey together through a colourful royal chariot — connecting Kenya and India through one magnificent animal,” art educator Ms Babu revealed.
As a wildlife enthusiast, she, along with her husband, has been exploring the wildlife history and biodiversity of the country on this trip. Additionally, they have been on the prowl for stories that connect nature to the local culture.
“For generations, the Maasai lived alongside lions, and lion hunting was once associated with courage and tradition. Today, that relationship has changed. Maasai communities have become the guardians of lions and their habitat, turning the spear that once challenged the lion into a symbol of its protection. Perhaps the true measure of courage is no longer conquering the ‘king’ — but ensuring that it continues to roar for generations to come,” added the 33-year-old from Seef District.
Bringing diversity to their latest ensemble, the third painting entitled A Giant Sip of Kenya measures 4.88 m × 3.05 m. Known to find inspiration in the most mundane of places, the 3D couple transformed the ubiquitous passion fruit into ‘a giant glass celebrating freshness’.
“In Kenya, passion fruit seems to be everywhere and in different varieties, fresh from the market, blended into juices, mixed into ice-creams, salads and enjoyed as part of everyday life,” Mr Augustine, who works at Gulf Business Machines Bahrain, noted.
“The giant glass celebrates the freshness, colour and unmistakable flavour of Kenyan passion fruit, while the exaggerated scale invites people to become part of the artwork — sitting beside it, holding the straw, diving into the glass or even trying to steal a giant sip,” he added, nodding to the spirit of the ‘performance art’.
Not ones to rest on past laurels, the couple is already planning another adventure. In a surprising turn of events, the duo was spotted by a visiting professor from a Nigerian university. Impressed by the artists’ work, he has invited them to stage a similar exchange programme.
“We’re so happy to be receiving all this love and share our knowledge with the talented artists here,” Ms Babu added.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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