Diversity in Forms exhibition

Three young artists explore diverse forms in their work in a multidisciplinary art show at AKA gallery

ART | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | The exhibition Diversity in Forms at AKA gallery is about how each of the three artists on showcase approaches their work. The works include paintings, sculptures and installation created around different themes of everyday living and a passionate exploration of Uganda’s social- cultural heritage. In this they paint realistic and semi-abstract rustic lifestyle of many rural dwellers, wild game that symbolizes Uganda’s beautiful flora and fauna and sculpt artworks that are representative to the social wellbeing of the citizenry. This exploratory engagement affords them an opportunity to experiment with different forms, techniques and material to create artworks that capture the attention of the viewer.

It is Amos Musoke’s installation The Real King of the Jungle that will introduce you to the exciting art on display. The artwork built from steel with a backdrop of bark cloth depicts the head of an African elephant with trunk and ivory. The African elephant is the world’s largest land animal and commands respect among its peers in the wild because of its enormous size, strength and grace. Next to this artwork is Tough One of the Savannah which is a visual representation of the Rhinoceros, one highly synonymous with the definition of a rare specie animal to be found in some of the wildlife sanctuaries in the country. Like with the Elephant installation, the artist has built its head with steel to suggest its indomitable strength. The bark cloth backdrop like with the Elephant installation seem to suggest the need for humanity to conserve both the organic fabric and these special species of animals.

This trait to conserve and celebrate the natural heritage is also visible in Bernard Kagimu’s realistic paintings that either depict Uganda’s beautiful wildlife or its diverse cultural heritage. In Gentle Presence, the artist paints a pair of Chimpanzees cuddling as a representation of these lovely primates that inhabit Kibale and Budongo Forest National Parks found in South Western parts of Uganda. Equally, in My origin, My Pride Kagimu pays homage to the beautiful culture of the Ankore people by painting a young woman performing the traditional Ekitaguriro Dance with the long horns Ankore cows in the background. The simplicity in the artists compositions facilitate an easy interpretation and appreciation of the artworks by the public.

The sculptural- installations by Felix Lubega in the exhibition complete the conversation on familiarity of artworks with the public at the gallery space. The artworks constructed from found objects like battered wood and discarded metals like aluminum and steel offer hidden messages about day to day living and intimate moments in the artist’s personal life. For example, in one sculpture the artist depicts a battered piece of wood with a door lock attached to it and a key- perhaps, belonging to the lock- daggling in between a vent in the middle of the jagged piece of wood. This conceptual installation may be interpreted in several ways by the viewer, but certainly communicates delicately the potential of such reclaimed objects to pass on a veiled message. Many such objects have a past history- often rich and diverse in nature-that can only be preserved through giving them a new life.

The three artists in the exhibition have no formal training in art making but have over the years perfected their skills through experimentation with different styles, media and techniques. This independence from art school has lent their art with a certain level of freedom of expression, therefore making their artworks more palatable to wider audiences. Conversely, the diversity in forms in their work on display is a gesture to maturity in studio practice and competence that enlists them as remarkable artists on the local art scene and beyond. As such, this group exhibition is a critical platform for the young artists and seemingly suggests of the better days to come for each of the individual artists’ careers.

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The exhibition Diversity in Forms opened on 6th July 2024 and will run for a month at AKA gallery, located on Bukoto Street next to Alliance Francaise Kampala & Goethe Zentrum Kampala Offices.