Making art more Visible

ART | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | The first edition of Kampala Art Talks was launched recently at Xenson Artspace and was attended by both established and emerging writers, and art writing enthusiasts. This review by Dominic Muwanguzi captures the foremost topics discussed in the workshop.

Writing about art plays several roles including making art more visible and understood by the public. So how can an art writer achieve this? This was one of the dominant questions asked during the first session of Kampala Art Talks, at Xenson Artspace. As the question popped up, several answers were thrown around; nothing really definite like the statement made by writer and art critic, Gilda Williams, that there’s no exact manual on art writing. One participant remarked that from their experience they’ve been made to believe that art writing is an expat led sector where one to write about art, they need to be associated with a particular background, for example having the qualifications of an art historian. In their opinion, this makes it a delicate territory to tread carefully; almost making it impossible for anyone to start writing. Here we all seemed to agree, this should not be the case because such parameters tend to alienate the public from art. The writer is supposed to link, to extend, make art intimate to the public.

The art writer assumes the position of a spokesperson for the artist and their art every time they write a review, critique, feature or interview. Therefore, to realize this obligation they’ve to be part of the artist’s creative process. This prompts the idea of the writer spending more time visiting the artist’s studio beside the gallery where a small fraction of what they create is showcased. This procedure of working was underscored by Dominic Muwanguzi who revealed how important it has been for him and his writing to continuously engage with the artists outside the gallery space. Muwanguzi, gave an example of Ronex conceptual artworks which can appear complex and intimidating on the first encounter, especially to a young writer. But a frequent engagement with the artist at their studio will certainly usher the writer into the artist’s creative processes, hence competently communicate his story to the public.

But are there exceptions when a writer has not interacted with the artist before and they write a brilliant piece; one that touches the audience? This question was inspired by a review that appeared in Sunday Nation on Xenson’s recent solo show Olidde Mupipa which showcased at Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute. The writer, John Fox, wrote a captivating review that would compel anyone to go and visit the show. So why was this review enchanting? The author was intent to pick on certain elements in the artwork that resonated with the human experience. He also made an effort to compare this show with the previous one’s he had visited at the same space. He remarked clearly why he felt Xenson’s installations touched him strongly. By doing this, he seamlessly drew the reader closer to the art. He made it more visible to them, though they were not there physically.

The review in itself was laced with the writer’s opinion, which is a potent tool to familiarize an artwork to the public. Personal opinion will tell you how a writer feels about the art and why they feel the way they do. But it can be difficult to develop a genuine personal opinion on anything, including art, if you have not experienced it at great length. Within the context of this particular review, in spite the fact the author never met the artist or visited their studio, he drew a comparison between previous artworks at the gallery he encountered and this particular showcase. He sums up this contrast by stating his verdict based on the way he emotionally experienced the exhibit.

The session surely ended with everyone eager to read Fox’s review, but also with a question how easy is it for young writers to write such a crtique that can befit a warm reception. We departed pondering on the possibility of the program to create a blog for writers where they can feel compelled to write routinely, share their work and get feedback from each other. This will enhance their writing skills and create a strong voice for contemporary art from the region to be recognized on the international art stage.

*****

Kampala Art Talks is a program run by Art Writing Kampala whose objective is to deepen conversations on art on the Kampala Contemporary art scene, but also discover and nurture young writers.