Sekajugo steps forward with It Starts With U

Artist adopts letter U as a unifying symbol for Ugandans in new project

ART | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Collin Sekajugo’s recent project, It Starts With U, is about Ugandan identity or what is the Ugandan identity. It is an inspiration from his many itineraries where he has often been confronted with the question, Is there such a thing as Ugandan culture or Ugandan culture is a collection of cultures? To answer this question, he has embarked on an exploratory journey through this project to demystify such complex inquiries. He therefore, explores this subject through the use of familiar patterns that have always been a backdrop of his multi- disciplinary art. The artist identifies the letter U as a symbol to work with in this artistic venture. The letter U in this context serves as a unifying symbol for Ugandans. The artist says, “I use the letter U to explore our values as a collective and also use it to create patterns that represent our diverse beliefs and customs.” Such technique stimulates aa strong visual language for the viewer because patterns and symbols have always been an integral feature of African art.

As a story teller, Sekajugo, is aware of the potent power that underlie the use of patterns and symbolism in communicating a particular message. In previous bodies of works like What is Beautiful 2018 and This is Uganda 2020, the artist has frequently adopted the Kitengi fabric popularly known for its bright coloured patterns. The Kitengi is a strong metaphor for Ugandan identity but also denotes the ambiguous nature of what people generally call the Ugandan identity because ironically, the fabric is not indigenous to Uganda. This ambiguity is further delicately discussed in It starts with U where the artist attempts to confront such question like Who am l? What do I represent? What is it to be Ugandan? In pursuit for such clarity, through the representation of his country in art, the artist is able to engage with diverse audiences on themes like freedom, heritage, motherland and peace which are closer to the Ugandan identity.

With this project, like is the norm with many of his artistic engagements in the past, Sekajugo is primarily seeking to incite conversations on the subject of identity. It is a conversation rooted in social cultural consciousness where the community artist through the use of different patterns and symbols and his personal experiences- where he has travelled and the people he has interacted with- he is able to create powerful artworks that prompt his audience to think deeply on their identity and culture within the broader scope of global citizenship. On his part as an artist who regularly travels to different destinations across the globe and meets different people, Sekajugo is challenged to express himself as a Ugandan to such wider audiences. Such expression gives him a particular sense of individuality that distinguishes him from the crowd therefore he’s able to convey his message more effectively.

Nonetheless, It Starts with U, implores Ugandans not to shy away from what makes them Ugandan amidst the wide raging negativity that taint many conversations about the country. Through his artistic practice, Sekajugo is intentional to project an image of country and its citizen who’re vibrant, energetic, creative and confident. This positivity is inspired by the artist’s acknowledgment– based on his strong affinity for anthropology- that Ugandan culture is naturally beautiful and diverse and therefore needs not only be preserved but promoted across the globe. As such as the artist notes, this project is aimed at elucidating possibilities to encourage Ugandans and others to consider Ugandan culture through art, fashion, architecture and technology.

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Images of Symbols and Patterns are courtesy of the artist