Although much of Africa has a multi-national, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural society with a very rich and varied artistic heritage, the modern art movement in East Africa is a recent phenomenon. Visual art tradition is limited, in contrast to West and central Africa.

Painting had its origin before the colonial era in the mural and rock painting found in various caves and archaeological sites. Development of modern art began with stimuli from outside such as missionaries, teachers and foreign artists who help the African talents to emerge.

This art still has an iconographical character originating from its roots in tribal culture.