Foreword Caleb Owino MD fireworks Advertising

The blank canvas has finally taken shape. With various strokes and shades, the idea we conceived four years ago has mushroomed into a brilliant avenue where divergent works exchange hands. We have come a long way but have even longer to go. Many corporate organisations including AIG, Barclays, Tullow Oil, UBA and Stanbic among many art lovers out there have answered our call by supporting Ugandan artists. Many thanks to those who continue to sponsor our exhibitions. Our sincere gratitude to The Ruparelia Foundation, Daily Monitor, K-FM, NTV and Crown Beverages Ltd for their sponsorship this year. This time, we take you down a different but quite familiar path. A path that Ugandan painters, sculptors, potters, among others have trodden over the past 50 years.Under the theme, Uganda Art 50, we invite you to journey through five decades of art, some of which predate independence. Join us for the 4th Annual fireworks Art Exhibition at the Kabira Country Club this December for the opening ceremony and the closing fashion show as we celebrate Ugandan art.

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Godfrey Banadda

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highly value the Initial training that I received from Mr. Anthony Kalule back in secondary school; for it formed the backbone of the discovery and cementing of the talent I have in Painting. I have to confess that by the time I joined the Margaret Trowell School of Fine Art in Makerere University in 1980 for my Bachelors Degree in Fine Art, I was quite versatile in the use of powder paint, acrylic, and oil paint. It is sad that Mr. Kalule and Mr. Ssengendo are both dead and did not live long enough to see the type of painter I have become over the years as a result of the training I received from them. The bulk of my works in painting has over the years been inspired by observing and questioning the phenomena of nature, analysis and questions

related to the philosophy of cultural, social, religious, metaphysical, political, technological, fiction, global issues and using the power of visualisation of Ideas from the human mind. My favourite medium is oil on canvas, although I sometimes express myself with water colour. Most of my works are in the abstract, semi abstract or surrealistic mode. I find the semi abstract mode more interactive because in behaves like nature. Nature is always seemingly obvious but puzzlingly incomprehensible when subjected to questions; but is paradoxically satisfactorily beautiful even when left with unanswered questions. My prizes include the 1st prize Art Competition in Painting organised by the Uganda Cuban Friendship Society in 1987.

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Most of my works are in the abstract, semi abstract or surrealistic mode.

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Paul Sendagire

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am an art educator,print maker, painter and fabric decorator. I was born in 1979 from Rubaga hospital in Kampala.I have a post graduate diploma in education and a degree in industrial and fine art from makerere university,Uganda. My works have been greatly exhibited in Ugan da,Tanzania,France,Nigeria,Portugal,Switzerla nd,Greece,Italy, among many other countries and I am a prestigious winner of several national and international awards including The 2007 commonwealth Art and crafts award.

woodcut is my best means of expression.Its through this medium that I play loudest music with the intention of carving multiple smiles onto my heart and eventually affecting others from kids to the seniors.The joyful single eyed angels especially female angels bursting with force and energy capture my thoughts, dreams and culture. And I feel that at a certain time in my life, I will be able to create a 2 dimensional work that can jump off the paper!

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woodcut is my best means of expression.Its through this medium that I play loudest music with the intention of carving multiple smiles onto my heart and eventually affecting others from kids to the seniors.The joyful single eyed angels especially female angels bursting with force and energy capture my thoughts, dreams and culture.

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Bruno Sserunkuuma

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orn 48 years ago in Kabulasoke, Gomba district, Bruno graduated with a B.A (F.A), M.A (FA) and P.G.D.E. from Makerere University. He lectures Ceramics in the Department of Industrial Art and Design, Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts. Bruno has participated in many solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally since1993 and his work has been recognised and collected worldwide. A dedicated ceramic artist/designer, Bruno has won various pottery and ceramics prizes including the UNESCO crafts prize for Africa (2000), SIAO, Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). He has represented the country

in many International and local art and design workshops, biennials and trade fairs including the Pan-African Cultural festival in Algiers and International biennales for Ceramics ,Cairo. He is also involved in a number of programme and researches to promote and develop the art and crafts industries in Uganda. Bruno is a member of Uganda visual Artists Association (UVAA) And National Association of Cultural Crafts in Uganda (NACCAU). His work is original, rich, colourful and highly ornamental. He is inspired by his natural, cultural, political, economic issues and social environment –mostly symbolic of the traditions, gender, peace, heritage and future of Africa.

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I am inspired by natural, cultural, political, economic issues and social environment mostly symbolic of the traditions, gender, peace, heritage and future of Africa.

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Edward Waddimba

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grew up in Buganda surrounded by bushes, forests and banana plantations. I did not have fancy toys to play with so I started my artistic career by improvising with whatever materials I could find in my environment to make my own toys. I loved the rainy season because the mud was my favourite material. The banana trees were also a very useful resource. From the stem we made wheels for our car toy cars, the dry banana leaves were used to make dolls for the Girls, footballs and complete with costumes mimicking adults. It is from here that I developed my imaginative and creative skills. At Kings College Buddo, I was introduced to clay, powder colony, charcoal, pencil and banana fibre mosaic. I sold my first work in 1994. He later met the then director of Nommo Gallery, the late Fabian Mpangi Kamulu who mentored me. Together we were art directors for several theatrical productions including the film “A time to care” funded by the DISH project.

It has never been my ambition to stick to a particular style or subject. My work is characterised by bold realistic and semi-abstract humanoid forms, emphasising important details with lime form and colour. My sculptures are inspired by the original African art of masks and human figures. Combining sculpture with other art fields, I came up with an idea of functional art which I believe is the new trend for art. Here I make interior and exterior designs ranging from candle/lamp stands to waterfalls and fountains making up WESART INTERIOR & EXTERIOR DESIGNS of which I’m the M.D & Chief Artist with its studio, workshop and show room in Gayaza Town. I have participated in numerous joint/ solo exhibitions in Uganda, designed places including Nob view hotel in Ntinda, Honey Pot beauty Parlour in Luzira, Little flowers, Sikia media services Studio and many private homes and compounds.

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Combining sculpture with other art fields, I came up with an idea of functional art which I believe is the new trend for art.

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Amos Sentongo

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mos Sentongo’s love affair with art has gone on for as long as he can remember. However, the interesting part of the journey started when he joined @rt Punch Studio in 2007. As a full time painter and fabric designer, Amos plans to venture into various other art spheres. For now, focus is on his vast knowledge in the field, while has enabled Amos the privilege of being included on the lineup of several art exhibitions dating as far back as 2007. His first exhibition took place during the Women’s Day Art Exhibition at Nommo Gallery in 2007 and 2008. His works also run concurrently during the

Young Artists’ Exhibition still at Nommo Gallery between 2007 and 2009. During the same period, Amos exhibited his works at the Independence Art Exhibition at the same venue. He also took part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Art Exhibition in 2007 at Nommo Gallery. Other exhibitions he has taken part in include the Young Artists’ Exhibition in 2009 at Tulifanya Gallery, Street Art Festival since 2008, a joint art exhibition with Sane Gategya in 2012 at Tulifanya Art Gallery, the Annual fireworks Art Exhibition in 2010 and the Studio Art Exhibition at Mish Mash in 2011. Since 2010, however, Amos has been holding private house shows.

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For now, focus is on his vast knowledge in the field,

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Carolynne J Adongo

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n this day and age of fast technological developments, Carolynne has adopted a multimedia approach to handling her work because “a plain work of art cannot speak volumes of aesthetics and authenticity, merely boring to the eye.” And so, to ensure diversity in her work, Carolynne gets inspiration from the environment. She becomes one with the environment, working with it and creating content with ancient and contemporary styles alike.

“I always get inspired by what I see in my environment,” she says. The commercial industrial art and design Nkumba University graduate has for the last five years specialised in ceramics, sculptures and making jewellery. “I create a work of art bearing in mind the authenticity and aesthetic values that will define my profession as a commercial visual artist,” says Carolynne.

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I create a work of art bearing in mind the authenticity and aesthetic values that will define my profession as a commercial visual artis

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Ronald Tindimwebwa

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is friends call him Ronnie Tindi. He is an artist, whose best styles are semi abstract, symbolic semi realistic impressions, cubistic, Dadaist and also surrealistic.

inspiration to help him bring out the creativity he believes in, feels and possesses inside. He gains more experience and insight into what makes our world and its people exist and function.

He is so flexible in both style and colour; his paintings show the feelings he has for people and animals, culture, belief, relationships and the environment in which they live. It’s from these that he gets

Tindi is one of the founding members of Njovu Studio and Art Gallery on Buganda road.

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My paintings show the feelings I have for people and animals, culture, belief, relationships and the environment in which live in.

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Bruno Ruganzu

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urrently a part-time lecturer at Kyambogo University, teaching various subjects including sculpturing and painting, Bruno’s love for art started way back when he was in his senior six vacation. Back then, he did not have the necessary tuition fees to join university. And so, in order to avoid curious questions from nosy relations and friends, he sought refuge in his hands’ ability. What he came up with, so impressed a neighbour, who helped him get a scholarship for a Diploma in Education at the Kabale National Teachers’ College (NTC). The 29 year old ecoartist has achieved more and been instrumental in promoting Ugandan creativity and innovation through art on the world map. He won the Young Achievers Award 2011 for Art,

Fashion and Culture. He was also announced winner of the TEDx competition TED Prize for City 2.0 at the TEDx Summit in Qatar early this year, beating 300 other innovators and 200 motivational speakers. His top prize of $10,000 has enabled him build an amusement park using waste for children living in the slums of Kampala. Born in Kabale, south western Uganda, the love of colour and painting was inspired by Bruno’s mentor Edward Ssajjabi who saw his talent at a younger age. When he is not doing community art interactive projects, Bruno paints women and children of Uganda reflecting on his undying love for mothers.

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The love of colour and painting was inspired by Bruno’s mentor Edward Ssajjabi who saw my talent at a younger age.

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Edward Balaba

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or the last seven years, Edward has practiced ceramics and sculpture while concurrently lecturing at the Makerere University School of Industrial and Fine Art.

material cultural values, beliefs, taboos and my environment to achieve innovative methods of production in the context of ceramic and sculpture,” he says.

The 31-year-old from Wakiso district holds a Bachelor of Fine Art, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and is finalising a Masters in Fine Art. Speaking about his work, Edward says he has gone against long-held beliefs to achieve his style of painting.

He adds: “I keep a natural finish for most of my work by advancing traditional methods of production yet keeping the artworks unique with contemporary messages highlighting social political and gender economy.”

“I have challenged the constraints of earlier traditional approaches to production to explore

Edward has exhibited his work locally and internationally.

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I keep a natural finish for most of my work by advancing traditional methods of production yet keeping the artworks unique with contemporary messages highlighting social political and gender economy.

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Paul Kasambeko (Kaspa)

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e goes by the moniker Kaspa, a signature he replicates on all his works. Born 32 years ago, Kaspa is a full time practising artist having graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Industrial and Fine Arts from Makerere University. “I have been involved in many local art exhibitions, in East Africa, Weefhuis Gallery Mill Hospital in Holland and the Intercultural Centre for African Arts in Georgetown Washington DC,” he says. Kaspa has also done art for charity with many organisations, more especially orphanages, AIDS patients and street children as a way of giving back to the community. “My art is intended to sensitise the public on the values and the role of art in their day today lives,” says Kaspa.

His subjects are from his life experiences, day today activities, landscapes and seascapes. Kaspa uses oils and acrylics, collage, bark cloth and other found objects. His works are Semiabstract, Impressionistic and Figurative in Nature.. My works allow me to create awareness of the things that happen in society and carry along with them many other messages, the message of hope. Nonetheless, I am looking to increase my involvement in artistic endeavours and as such, any platform or environment for me as a contemporary artist seeking to be more relevant in contemporary Africa and beyond, would be ideal.

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My art is intended to sensitise the public on the values and the role of art in their day today lives

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Richard M Weazher

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ichard started practising art at the tender age of six, making amateur cars from discarded wire and models from clay. Later, he made coloured drawings and carried this passion through primary and secondary schools. After completing a Diploma in Music in 2006, he joined Michelangelo School of Creative Arts for a Diploma in Art and Design at Kyambogo University. He was able to upgrade later to a Bachelors Degree in Art and Industrial Design from

the same university. Richard works with different NGOs in Uganda as an art instructor of performing and visual art and is also a part time lecturer at Kyambogo University. He is majorly a painter, sculptor, drafts man, art historian, writer and above all a musician. He works with mixed media and derives inspiration from African culture, portraits, realistic and semi abstract. His works have featured in many group and solo exhibitions.

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I work with mixed media and derives inspiration from African culture, portraits, realistic and semi abstract.

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Bukenya Tony

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he Artist has been in existence since 1981. He was born and raised in Kampala (Uganda’s capital) and he started displaying Artistic skills at a very young age. It’s no surprise; therefore that he studied Art and Design with Education at Kyambogo University. The Artist has participated in various major Exhibitions since 2000 and has alsobeen teaching Art since 2005, during that time him and

a colleague, Kasagga Jude developed a very expressive and experimental style of painting that their students liked to call “fake, fake Art”(cheap and lousy Art)… they then decided to change that to “fekfek Art”(no special meaning!). He is part of the Njovu Artists collective. Besides Art, he is also using his creativity as a radio presenter.

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I believe Art is a voice. My Art is my voice, the voice for the marginalized. The mirror of the society! It cherishes the things that are usually taken for granted-like life itself! ...

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Juma Lutalo

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fter spending sleepless nights and restless days trying to learn the movement of brush and blending of colours, Juma finally settled on a style of soft blending in oil colours and water colour paint.

graduated with a Diploma in Art and Design. This was only a fulfilment of a talent he has nurtured from childhood in Masaka drawing simple objects and making models from clay. Today, Juma is a painter, sculptor and photographer among others. His work depicts modern African life in all circles.

This dream started back in 2008 when Juma decided he wanted to become a recognised artist in Uganda and beyond. He joined the Buganda Royal Institute in Mengo from where he

The art works are realistic, abstract, impressionism, photography, sculptures in 2D and 3D done to show beauty, nature, people, and wildlife as source of inspiration.

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My works depict modern African life in all circles

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Yusuf Ngula

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e was in secondary school when Yusuf realised there was a side to him that was artsy. Although his parents preferred that their children pursued more formal avenues in life, Yusuf’s sheer determination led him to follow his passion for art. As a self-taught artist, his work is different from formally trained artists. He paints his subjects

based on the two greatest influences of modern times; war and television. “I can’t say my art is based on African art. But as a generation, we have matured in front of television sets, the books we read, comics and movies we watch. It is also based on the language we speak and what we are taught in school. This context applies in my art,” says Yusuf.

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My art is based on the language we speak and what we are taught in school.

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Saad LUKWAGO

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he Artist has been in existence since 1981. He was born and raised in Kampala (Uganda’s capital) and he started displaying Artistic skills at a very young age. It’s no surprise; therefore that he studied Art and Design with Education at Kyambogo University. The Artist has participated in various major Exhibitions since 2000 and has also been teaching Art since 2005, during that time him and a colleague, Kasagga Jude developed a very expressive and experimental style of painting that their

students liked to call “fake, fake Art”(cheap and lousy Art)… they then decided to change that to “fekfek Art”(no special meaning!). He is part of the Njovu Artists collective. Besides Art, he is also using his creativity as a radio presenter. “I believe Art is a voice. My Art is my voice, the voice for the marginalized. The mirror of the society! It cherishes the things that are usually taken for granted-like life itself! ...”

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I believe Art is a voice. My Art is my voice, the voice for the marginalized. The mirror of the society! It cherishes the things that are usually taken for granted-like life itself!

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Yusuf Ssali

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hold Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Arts, where I specialized in drawing special and painting. I have been Involved in many art related community based activities in and outside Uganda.

I have held successful and recurring exhibitions in educational and commercial art galleries.

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My art is Inspired by the different ethinical tribes and traditions of Uganda.

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Ritah Nabuyungo Edopu

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itah is better known for her penchant for bright colour, abstract monumental canvasses. Her journey as a visual artist is as varied as the diverse complex and yet unified ethnicity of Uganda. Her visual influences are part and parcel of her own history as a female artist, but also by such icons of European abstraction as Wassily Kandinsky. Her stylistic references are infused with the traditional abstraction extracted and appropriated from Africa by the Western canon by such artists as Pablo Picasso, and Paul Klee. Yet, Ritah creates her own language by using the African mask as a visual metaphor for identity as well as secrecy. We see how the stylised portraits stare directly or indirectly at us with the enigmatic expressions of aloofness or mystery, which at times are one and the same. Her reclining figures possess the dignity of history, ‘womanness’, and power. The imagery is reminiscent of the sculptural power of the African American artist Elizabeth Catlett. Ritah is a graduate of Makerere University School of Industrial and Fine Arts. She has been lecturing at the same University since the completion of her Undergraduate studies in 2000. She is

also a graduate of Kyambogo University, Uganda Management institute, Makerere University Business School and Sheffield School of Interior design, New York. She has undertaken various post graduate fine art and non-fine art related courses. She is currently pursuing a PhD programme and has raised questions in art education concerned with creating awareness for visual arts community outreach activities through improved pedagogy, and curriculum. She has exhibited her work widely in Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Netherlands, UK and in the United States. In 2007, she was among five African artists selected to participate in a fundraiser fine art exhibition organised by the Bill Clinton Foundation at the Raritan Valley Community College, New Jersey, USA in support of the war-torn Darfur, Sudan. Ritah currently holds workshops with children in mental hospitals and war torn areas advocating for issues of social justice, democracy and rule of law, a process that encourages therapeutic healing to the voices that need to be heard.

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My stylistic references are infused with the traditional abstraction extracted and appropriated from Africa by the Western canon by such artists as Pablo Picasso, and Paul Klee. Yet, Ritah creates her own language by using the African mask as a visual metaphor for identity as well as secrecy.

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John Okurut

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’m a graduate of the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Arts, Makerere University. It’s exactly six years now for me since I ventured into the world of art in which I have been privileged to hold a couple of solo art exhibitions and taken part in numerous art festivals like the famous (LABA) Kampala Street Art Festival and also Fireworks Advertising Agency’s annual exhibitions. I love to work with an open mind on neatly prepared surfaces as 99% of my motivation and inspiration comes from within.

My works allow me to create awareness of the things that happen in society and carry along with them many other messages, the message of hope. Nonetheless, I am looking to increase my involvement in artistic endeavours and as such, any platform or environment for me as a contemporary artist seeking to be more relevant in contemporary Africa and beyond, would be ideal.

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My works allow me to create awareness of the things that happen in society and carry along with them many other messages, the message of hope.

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Rolands Tibirusya With paint brush, Rolands is an artist of diverse abilities; a painter, author, philanthropist, innovator and ‘artivist’. In 2010, he won the Young Achievers’ Award in category of Art, Fashion and Design. In painting, he is best known as the pioneer Souvenir Live mural paintings – albeit he is also the artist who introduced the concept of sharing an art canvass with others – as an innovator, he prides himself in having started an unprecedented art movement at Makerere University where he introduced the unique idea of expression with colour, bearing on the experiences and not the traditions of old masters. A young painter in the early stages of his career, Rolands is not like your typical stereotype of the young contemporary artist: he is a rebel; the revolutionary who broke the norm of studio work most artists adhere to and replaced it with on-location live painting at events, thus cultivating what is referred to as conceptual ‘Souvenir Art’. No wonder Rolands’ works come across as those of a self-taught academician – a master who seems

to be naturally drawn to themes other artists generally shun. Take the concept of painting live on location at events, where he undertakes an artwork dotted with advocacy messages from scratch to finish in front of big audiences; this is an unprecedented approach to producing souvenirs based on the artist’s innovation and creativity rather than on his formal training – a phenomenon explained by Rolands as “an engaging genre of art that involved capturing on canvass of all magic of the moment abstract expressions generated throughout an event, and interweaving it with the figurative composition based on the passions and emotions that represent each moment.” As we celebrate50 years of Uganda, 90 years of Makerere university, ,100years of scouting, I desire to see a transformed Africa beyond power struggles, the obsession of my space and the tribal dynamics, racism and others. In this sense, Rolands describes himself as an ‘artivist’.

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I am best known as the pioneer of Souvenir Live mural paintings – albeit I also introduced the concept of sharing an art canvass with others.

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Ibrahim Makumbi NAME: Ibrahim Makumbi RESIDENCE: Kibuli OCUPATION: Fine Art Teacher Institution where I studied from: Kyambogo University Academic Achievement: Bachelor of art and industrial design with education Artistic Achievements: • I designed a “Sonko Game Carpet” • I designed Mirrors with painted artistic illustration • Participated in the Kyambogo University wall painting Project.

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Bukenya Tony All Ugandans have a duty of chiseling the past, the present and the future of their nation. However because of insuperable intimidation instituted by our colonial masters, most of us are passive in leadership transformations and transitions of our country. This fear that we have, has left this duty and the power to those few brave hearted individuals. I am carrying out my duty, through my skills, the bowl

(body) gives it protection and thus fearless obligation to actively help in constructing a worthwhile future for my beloved Uganda. In interest of marrying my insight and function, this same heart is a salt shaker to be used in a dinning setting but again with a provocative message meant to ignite a household discussion for a peaceful leadership transition of our nation where leaders have to be reminded to quit.

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I have a unique style of marrying my insight and the inviroment in a functional way.

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Kateregga Ismael Born and raised in Kampala in 1980, Ismael completed a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from Makerere University. His work speaks directly to its admirers. Though well known for his impressionistic street scenes, his recent studies in wildlife are proof that he has mastered his style.He has exhibited his works both locally and globally.

He is a regular feature at the East Africa Art Biennale, and the Bonhams Auction House has ranked his name on collectors’ lists both private and corporate. To date, he’s ranked as one of the few relevant impressionists of modern Africa.

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My work is an instinctive spiritual response to my immediate surroundings,

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Bigomba Christopher It is not often that you encounter a selftaught artist. Yet, Christopher has been practicing for the last 20 years. He is 35 years old. “For the past 20 years I dedicated myself into full participation in this industry, 10 years of which was devoted to Batik making,” he says. He traces his ability and gets inspiration from his father, David Wasswa Katongole, himself an artist who is also displaying his works in this exhibition. Christopher was also inspired by the late

Henry Lumu, a close associate of his father. He derives satisfaction from his work by “analyzing personal feelings” directly from nature and also enjoys creative methods of achieving results by employing various materials such as used bottles, files and plastics among others. Christopher’s talent has seen him exhibit in most parts of Uganda, East Africa and various parts of the world.

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He derives satisfaction from his work by “analyzing personal feelings” directly from nature and also enjoys creative methods of achieving results by employing various materials such as used bottles, files and plastics among others.

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