As an artist in the Seychelles, the seed of a palm tree called the coco de mer or `coconut of the sea’ found in this idyllic cluster of islands of 93,000 people, never ceases to fascinate me. It is huge and strangely formed of two domed parts that, depending …
Read More »Narratives of body and shape
The human figure continues to fascinate modern and contemporary artists. Many are gripped by its deployment as an aesthetic or conceptual symbol that evokes different forms of visual narratives in their work, writes Dominic Muwanguzi. For Khalid Kodi it is an important topic that warrants a standalone exhibition that he …
Read More »Simple art for simple minds
How limited exposure limits producers of culture When artist Maria Kizito of the Makerere art school returned to Uganda in 2005 from Ireland with a PhD in studio practice, he sought to overturn the prevailing mundane formal techniques of art expressions that he found boring, untenable and simply antiquated. But …
Read More »Exciting look into the tadooba flames
The tadooba, a tin wick lamp is a familiar object in many rural homesteads across Uganda. Even in urban areas, it is commonly used to light some roadside businesses that operate after nightfall. In the case of the capital city, Kampala, food and fruit vendors, and street hawkers use them …
Read More »Talent unseen
A show opened recently at the Afriart Gallery in Kamwokya, Kampala, is the latest effort in tapping into young talent and bringing diversity into art spaces. Titled `Unseen’, it showcases works by artists Mulondo Patrick, Lukwago Saad, Reagan Kandole, Ocon Adonias, Denis Mubiru, Arim Andrew, Cannon Griffin (Rumanzi), Nabukenya Hellen …
Read More »Money and campaign songs
By Agnes E Nantaba What happens when musicians look at the pay cheque when composing political songs? The young woman twists her waist, lifts her foot, and jumps. The crowd roars. She is sweating and her eyes are half closed. She does it again and again. Every time inching along …
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