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Last year I was encouraged by my friend and art dealer, Carol Lees, to make a visit to RedHill Gallery, about 15 km outside of Nairobi. The gallery is a retirement project of a wonderful couple, Erica Musch-Rossler and Hellmuth Rossler, who each spent decades working in healthcare NGO’s throughout Eastern Africa. They met through their professions, and selected Kenya as the most suitable place to settle in. Along the way, they both had a sincere interest in the cultures of the people they served, and developed keen aesthetic eyes.
They were aided in locating a rambling estate with several structures in need of repair by an artist/entrepreneur they’d met at an art opening over fifteen years ago. Their smart and beautiful refinements to the original design have transformed the living residence into a lovely blend of private areas and open spaces. There’s an especially nice semi-enclosed sitting porch where I would easily spend most of my time, given the comfortable Kenyan weather 8-9 months of the year. Stone pathways and thoughtful plantings and maintenance of the grounds all enhance the visiting experience.
They’ve wisely set aside a few acres for gardens and use by local folks to grow a fair portion of their foods. (I can attest to the richness of some of their farm to table ingredients!) As they traveled they collected art works by many contemporary African artists, often lesser known ones. To further share in their passionate appreciation, they turned an old farm building on site into an open-air gallery. Through their careful curatorial discretion, the gallery has earned a reputation for showcasing exceptional new talent and broadening the opportunities of dozens of East African artists. At this point, they are working diligently to catalogue their beautiful and generous efforts.
Each visit has been a delight, and I now consider it a given to make time to see them and RedHill Gallery. Beyond the abundant and tasty lunches Erica has offered, as well as her delicious cookies, coffee, and teas, it is the conversation and sense of community they create which stands out. While there I’ve met visitors from all over the world, and always interesting discussions evolve which I very much value. This is, I feel, largely due to their informal, open, and welcoming presence.
As they travelled so much during their careers, they mentioned how they now are content to cut back on excursions beyond seeing family abroad, or visiting Nairobi or nearby locales. As Hellmuth has expressed, now the gallery brings people from across the world to them! They are kind, gently inquisitive, insightful, and readily share in a warm sense of humor, all indispensable qualities earned working among and living in what are often extreme societal conditions. I admire them, aim to emulate their many fine qualities, and feel very fortunate to call them friends.
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They were aided in locating a rambling estate with several structures in need of repair by an artist/entrepreneur they’d met at an art opening over fifteen years ago. Their smart and beautiful refinements to the original design have transformed the living residence into a lovely blend of private areas and open spaces. There’s an especially nice semi-enclosed sitting porch where I would easily spend most of my time, given the comfortable Kenyan weather 8-9 months of the year. Stone pathways and thoughtful plantings and maintenance of the grounds all enhance the visiting experience.
They’ve wisely set aside a few acres for gardens and use by local folks to grow a fair portion of their foods. (I can attest to the richness of some of their farm to table ingredients!) As they traveled they collected art works by many contemporary African artists, often lesser known ones. To further share in their passionate appreciation, they turned an old farm building on site into an open-air gallery. Through their careful curatorial discretion, the gallery has earned a reputation for showcasing exceptional new talent and broadening the opportunities of dozens of East African artists. At this point, they are working diligently to catalogue their beautiful and generous efforts.
Each visit has been a delight, and I now consider it a given to make time to see them and RedHill Gallery. Beyond the abundant and tasty lunches Erica has offered, as well as her delicious cookies, coffee, and teas, it is the conversation and sense of community they create which stands out. While there I’ve met visitors from all over the world, and always interesting discussions evolve which I very much value. This is, I feel, largely due to their informal, open, and welcoming presence.
As they travelled so much during their careers, they mentioned how they now are content to cut back on excursions beyond seeing family abroad, or visiting Nairobi or nearby locales. As Hellmuth has expressed, now the gallery brings people from across the world to them! They are kind, gently inquisitive, insightful, and readily share in a warm sense of humor, all indispensable qualities earned working among and living in what are often extreme societal conditions. I admire them, aim to emulate their many fine qualities, and feel very fortunate to call them friends.
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 Top & top left images: views of Erica & Hellmuth beautiful residence. Top right: new friends form Barcelona and Pakistan who were visiting the gallery. Above, right and below: the exhibit on view featuring the hauntingly beautiful, very personal work of Nairobi artist James Kamande. |  |
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