Velma Rosai-Makhandia (b. 1986, Nairobi, Kenya) is a student of the stars; she works across painting, photography, performance and curation, in a practice grounded by post-colonial Blackness, womanhood, African mythology, nature and personal narratives. Rosai-Makhandia’s influences span African folklore, mysticism, African cinematography, and images from her own familial archives, which she uses to form fantastical and otherworldly scenes on her canvases.

Rosai-Makhandia has recently completed a residency at dot.ateliers, Accra, Ghana (2024), following others including: 50 Golborne Art Artist Residency, London, UK & Lamu, Kenya (2022-23), Poco a Poco, Oaxaca, Mexico (2021) and Ano Contemporary, Accra, Ghana (2018). Selected solo exhibitions include: Union Pacific, London (upcoming, 2025), Basel Social Club, Basel (upcoming, 2025), This is not a human being, and she’s not a spirit, UNREPD Gallery, Los Angeles (2024) and The Ways of My Serpent Mother Are Strange, Sarah Brook Gallery, Los Angeles (2023). Recent group exhibitions include: CONDO London 2025, Union Pacific, London (2025), ever so present, Amoako Boafo Gallery, Accra (2024) Handmade Gallery, Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast (2024) and Love Song, Sarah Brook Gallery, Los Angeles.