Biography

Valerian Atieno was born in Nyanza province, Migori district.My journey through education started at a tender age of four years in Migori town.

My first day in the pre unit left a history that I will never forget. The chapattis I had carried for lunch were stolen by one of the boys. After that experience I never went back.In the dark skinned Luo community my colour difference always put in the lime light. I was very social with everybody including strangers, to the extent of almost being stolen when my mother left me at a bus stop as she went to pick some luggage.In 1985 my family moved to Rongo where I officially started my education in class one. I skipped most classes, I would appear the days Nyayo milk was given, attending three schools in three years.

In 1992 I was transferred to Asumbi girls where I sat my KCPE in 1994. Then I proceeded to Asumbi Girls High School.In high school, I never liked sports, only tried my hands on basketball. While others took to the field, I would be singing or dancing with the drama club members. I won two awards, the District and Provincial level, for best Shairi (poetry). Other responsibilities: treasurer for the debate club in 1995-1998;Organising secretary for history club1998; Chairlady of drama club and YCS in 1998.

I sat for the KCSE in 1998 and in January 1999 I joined BuruBuru Institute of Fine Arts, majoring in painting.

In November 2001 I finished with a diploma in fine artsIn September 2001, I joined Tangaza College to pursue a degree in social communication, majoring in print media. I have managed to compose and recorded an album of songs titled ‘Memories’.In May, 2002 I held an art exhibition at the Safari Park Hotel, which was covered by KTN and aired in Art scene program.

In May 2006 I was among twelve artist who exhibited at the Kenya national museum, in a show organised by the European Union.In 2005, I was selected as one of the five artists to work on a painting project for Marsabit. The paintings were mainly of bible stories from creation to the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. The project was completed in 2008. More recently I held an exhibition at Village Market, which was covered by the KTN and Citizen TV. In August 2009 had an exhibition in Citta Alta Bergamo Italy, Switzerland and 2010 Sanpelegrino in Bergamo Italy