Team

Joel Lukhovi is a photo artist, educator and curator whose practice centers on lens-based media. A graduate of literature studies from the University of Nairobi, his photographic work explores memory, identity and erasure. Lukhovi has participated in cultural development programs and worked with artists and cultural institutions in Kenya and abroad. 

He co-curated sisi ni hao 2024 with African women in photography, presenting works of 12 east african women exploring womanhood, identity and tradition. Joel is a graduate of the Sasa Nairobi Art Fellowship by Goethe-Institut. He curated now you see 2025 , an exhibition and publication on memory and family photo albums. His function at nbf is to develop exhibitions and programs that explore the universality of the medium of photography. He is a trainer and has conducted workshops, talks and has been a guest artist-lecturer at Katho Nordrhein-Westfalen University and Paderborn city archives.

A keen advocate of cultural education, he is currently on a curatorial research residency c/o Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council at Verzasca Foto, the Swiss Photomonth and is a delegation participant at plat(t)form 2026 by Fotomuseum Winterthur exploring ways of showcasing photography.

John Wambugu is a technology, innovation, digital industries leader, entrepreneur and ecosystem builder working at the intersection of creative and community development. An award-winning visual storyteller and filmmaker, he has served as Canon Eastern Africa regional business development lead. He has contributed to initiatives such as the canon virtual film school and supporting over 5,000 young creatives across 20+ african countries while driving growth in imaging.

Recognized for his transformative social impact, Wambugu’s work has been lauded by local and global organisations, including the UN, World Economic Forum and the world bank. He has been selected as an Africa future elect fellow and is an appointed strategic advisor on the creative economy sector by wikimedia.

He continues in his position to empower Africa’s youth and the cultural community, unlocking the continent’s creative and entrepreneurship potential. John is fully committed to strengthening the medium of photography in East Africa and aspires to have a thriving community of creatives who are able to live off their trade.