Tamed Emotions
TAMED EMOTIONS SOLO EXHIBITION BY KASPA 15TH JUNE – 14TH JULY 2024 Kasambeko Paul, commonly known as Kaspa, was born in 1980 and grew up in the suburbs of Kampala, Uganda. From an early age, he was fascinated by the landscape, cultural diversity, people’s behavior, wellbeing, and the daily life struggles of those around him. In 2004, Kaspa graduated with honors from Makerere University Kampala, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial and Fine Arts. Some of his exhibitions include: Might Minds Joint Art Exhibition, Umoja Art Gallery 2023, The ART of Kaspa , UNITED NATIONS RECREATION CENTER Nairobi, 2019, East African art Biennale Tanzania 2007, 2011, 2017, The Intellectual Center for African Arts Georgetown University Washington DC 2010, Nommo Gallery, 2008 and Free at last, Makerere University Art gallery, 2005. Painting is Kaspa’s medium of choice for creative expression. He values the freedom it provides in his creative process, particularly through the use of collage, thick brush strokes, and varying black and scribbled lines. These techniques allow him to convey his u nique perceptions of moods, which he shares with his audience. Kaspa’s great passions in life are travel, adventure, and painting. Painting enables him not only to record his personal experiences and moments but also to preserve the nature and history that his audience can enjoy. His works reflect the diversity and beauty of his world experiences.
Look one group edition – 4th Edition
Look One group exhibition is an annual group exhibition organized by Xenson art space. This year we will be showcasing works of seven sensational and enthusiastic emerging artists and it will be the forth edition as the first edition was held in 2020. The objective of Look One group exhibition is to give young and emerging artists an opportunity to exhibit a body of their works in a professional way in an art gallery for the very first time and be able to kick start their art career. Each artist has a distinct and profound story to share through their art forms. This will be the first professional exhibition for each of the artists giving us the opportunity to be the first to experience their work and support them. For this year’s selection, we have a unique blend of artists from different backgrounds and this is seen through their work as they share their experiences in relation with their immediate communities. The artists were selected through an open call that was put out in 2023, where we received many applicants and these were among those selected.
LUMIIMAMAWUGWE
LUMIIMAMAWUGWE Lumiimamawugwe is Xenson’s reaction to the covid19 pandemic. During the first few days of the pandemic, as he went through his sketch book, he found sketches of portraits in masks and they were signed in 2015. Although he could not immediately remember the inspiration behind the sketches, he remembered seeing some Chinese wearing masks around 2014 in down town Kampala. But also recalled going to kabale and the air and the smell was so clean and refreshing as compared to cosmopolitan Kampala. This in a way triggered a series of paintings and Ideas. As the lock down progressed different terminologies were used to refer to the pandemic. “Senyiga omukwabwe” and Lumiima mawugwe mainly by presenters of radio Simba and Central broadcasting services. Xenson picked great interest in the terminology Lumiima Mawugwe as he found it deeply poetic but also politically charged. Amidst the 2020 elections season and eventual violence that marked the election Lumiima Mawugwe became the definitive reflection of the elections. The abstract couldn’t have been timely. Many people especially in the west lost their lives but also many opposing youth in Uganda found themselves behind bars, how Ironic! The pandemic became the difficult face of the election season. As part of the SOPS, economically, socially and spiritually the face mask became the new Talisman. Talisman: An object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune. Or something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects. Hope Before the pandemic, Xenson was ready to release his live in studio sophomore album; Yaaye. Amidst the helplessness, stress, hopelessness that was brought about by the pandemic; one song Bugulumu gave him comfort. Bugulumu is an inspirational song with an indigenous melody that had Xenson had for over four years before the song was recorded. Bugulumu’s cadence and emotion is the ultimate remedy for citizens as we try to get back to normality. Great thanks to Afrie and the Cheburum choir for the chorus, Giovan Kiyingi on the thumb piano and percussions, Jude Mugerwa on the piano, JJ Bugoma – Acoustic drums, Davis the violinist – Violin.
Embracing Her Essence: A Celebration of Young Women’s Creativity.
Introduction: In a world where diversity and inclusion are imperative, women have been instrumental in reshaping narratives, challenging norms, and infusing creativity into every facet of life. “Embracing Her Essence” is more than just an exhibition; it’s a profound tribute to the multifaceted brilliance of young women artists. Through their unique perspectives and artistic expressions, they unveil layers of emotions, narratives, and experiences that resonate deeply with their audiences. Exploration of Identity: Within the corridors of this exhibition, visitors will embark on a transformative journey through the labyrinth of female identity. From the exploration of self-discovery to the celebration of cultural heritage, each artwork serves as a poignant reflection of the diverse identities that women inhabit. Through paintings, digital art, and performance art, artists navigate themes of femininity, empowerment, resilience, and the intricacies of womanhood. Breaking Boundaries: “Embracing Her Essence” is not confined by conventional boundaries; it defies limitations and challenges societal constructs. Artists fearlessly confront taboo subjects, break stereotypes, and amplify marginalized voices. The exhibition serves as a catalyst for dialogue, provoking thought and inspiring change. It celebrates the strength found in vulnerability, the beauty in imperfection, and the power of authenticity. Sisterhood and Solidarity: At the heart of “Embracing Her Essence” lies the spirit of sisterhood and solidarity. Young female artists come together in a harmonious symphony of creativity, supporting and uplifting one another. Their collective voices will echo through the gallery walls, resonating with shared experiences and universal truths. Through collaboration and mutual respect, they pave the way for future generations of women to thrive in the arts and beyond. Celebrating Resilience: In a world fraught with challenges and obstacles, women continue to defy expectations and persevere against all odds. “Embracing Her Essence” pays homage to the resilience of women, honoring their strength, courage, and unwavering spirit. Through adversity, they emerge as beacons of hope and agents of change, leaving an indelible mark on history and inspiring generations to come. Conclusion: As the curtains draw to a close, “Embracing Her Essence” leaves an indelible imprint on the collective consciousness. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of women’s creativity, resilience, and unwavering determination. Beyond the confines of the exhibition walls, the spirit of female empowerment continues to thrive, igniting flames of inspiration and possibility in every corner of the world. May we all carry forth the lessons learned and the stories shared, embracing the essence of womanhood in all its glory.
Ronex at 20
Sisters
Victoria Nabulime’s work explores the relationship of sisterhood from the lens of childhood, themes of innocence, personhood and emotion; make up this body of work that celebrates how the female body thrives in this stage of growth. Childhood is marked as a stage of development when the individual is most susceptible to social orderings, and in societies that oppress the female and from this sisters form close bonds to shield themselves, heal themselves and hide. Curator Note by Trevor Mukholi “She shines so bright, she lights up the whole world, so bold and courageous, pure, loving and beautiful. Her skin shines like black diamonds such a rare treasure. She has a golden and pure heart, flawless, furious, kind, gentle and brave. Just like a rose flower in the desert, she stands out. There is no pain she can’t handle, she is strong enough to withstand all the obstacles that she comes across She strives to achieve her goals, even with all the hardships of life. “Sister’s” explores themes of sisterhood, coming of age and the resilience of the female spirit.” By Victoria Nabulime.
Omuntu Muntu
“Omuntu muntu” literally means the nature of the mankind that clearly describes the natural disposition of the mind for any being, his or her personal character, temper, peculiar mental characteristics and attributes that serve to distinguish him or her from other persons and all creations on earth. This can be expressed in two ways, the inner state of the being and the other form exhibited through the active performances. “Omuntu” is that person who is widely open for new experiences where he has many fields of interest. Omuntu reacts quickly to any arising problem or changing situation to him is like second nature to him and therefore he intends to cherish it. Collecting new experiences when he gets to action helps him to activate his mental and physical being. Omuntu is extremely communicative and crafty, he attracts new friends but at times he can be a bit superficial and becomes independent where he does not easily take advice from others when he already has existing firm beliefs. Understanding omuntu is not just about the actions that are happening between “abantu”, it’s also about how abantu interact with the whole world and how they seek to promote the welfare of the rest of the whole society. Omuntu should always preach love instead of hate. The world wants to see us helping one another and living by each other’s happiness. “Ndi Muntu” as a person I do not preach hate and despise others because I believe that in this world there is room for everyone and room for any other creature that lives on Earth. OMUNTU MUNTU art exhibition therefore manifests a series of forms and qualities of the mankind “Omuntu” according to the different qualities and attributes. This exhibition also takes us through the journey of the different life experiences of Omuntu as he tries to make the world a better place to live in. The exhibition is also a presentation of behavior patterns and life experiences of an ordinary Muntu most especially during his or her childhood stages. Omuntu retains some line of activity both in childhood and in maturity stages all directed towards achieving a certain goal in life. Omuntu will always live the most peaceful and most successful life regardless of how much money, academic qualifications he owns but rather the degree of humanitarian activities he performs. Humanity does not only stop at caring for others but also getting to deeply understand the nature of the human kind “Obuntu” and extending unconditional love to every being that was created to live on earth. Life seems to be so demanding but as humans we should always embrace the little that is available and as we crave for more, we should also give a hand to those with less than what we have. All of us are capable of showing humanity and this can be through acknowledging that all human beings are equal, regardless of their gender, sex, colour or anything. Finally we as humans should all model genuine empathy and show gratitude to each other to express respect and humility. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY Kabonge George Wasswa is a Ugandan visual artist born as a twin in Mukono district. He’s a graduate of Kyambogo University where he acquired formal education with a bachelor’s degree in vocational studies, art and design with education. He is a secondary school teacher and a practicing artist specialized in painting genre with a collage painting effects and pointillism style characterized by vibrant dots of tints and shades meticulously layered onto canvas to define his subjects. His themes draw inspiration from the contemporary social life that defines his society. Kabonge explores variety of themes ranging from traditional African contemporary music, wild life, and daily life styles and activities presented both in realistic, semi abstract and abstract forms intended to evoke public dialogue on respecting and preserving societal traditions and culture. He has participated in various art exhibitions in Uganda and across East Africa to share his artistic experiences with fellow artists and communities. Although he predominantly works with acrylics and oil on canvas, he has experimented with a wide range of media. His motivation towards exploration of the arts practice with in an expanded pedagogy stems from his ability to work with fellow artists and communities. ARTIST STATEMENT I love exploring different themes using pointillism style where I put various vibrant dots or strokes of colour in most of my paintings. Different hues mostly appear in contrasts to one another. I am inspired by day today life experiences which I depict using the vibrant dots or strokes of hues on canvas. I use oil paints and acrylics on canvas to portray messages.
Look one edition 2
Look One group exhibition is annual group exhibition organized by Xenson art space. This year we will be showcasing works of five sensational and enthusiastic emerging artists and it will be the second edition as the first edition was held in 2020. The objective of Look One group exhibition is to give young and emerging artists an opportunity to exhibit a body of their works in a professional way in an art gallery for the very first time and be able to kick start their art career. Each artist has a distinct and profound story to share through their art forms. This will be the first professional exhibition for each of the artists giving us the opportunity to be the first to experience their work and support them. For this year’s selection, we have a unique blend of artists from different backgrounds and this is seen through their work as they share their experiences in relation with their immediate communities. The artists were selected through an open call that was put out in December 2021.
Surfacing group exhibition
SURFACING elevates 12 emerging women artists based in Khartoum, Nairobi, and Kampala. The exhibition features 27 paintings exploring diverse themes and styles including nature and landscapes, portraiture, figurative, women’s rights and empowerment, social behavior, and identity. Using oil, acrylic, and mixed media on canvas, the artists are inspired by their surroundings. They combine impressionism, abstract, and figurative painting styles with authentic cultural narratives that invite you into East Africa in a spectacular way. The aim is not only to empower and promote talented East African women artists to a broader audience but also to spotlight some of the incredible female talents from East Africa that are on the verge of success. CURATED BY THADDE TEWA (TEWASART GALLERY, NAIROBI)
Shadow of the Dinka
Tindi Ronnie Chris, a Ugandan visual artist and painter, is currently working on a mixed-medium collage series at his studio, Tindi colours. Using Kitenge fabrics and other materials, Tindi explores the theme of the Dinka people and their cultural heritage. The Dinka are a Nilotic ethnic group from South Sudan, known for their distinctive body art, scarification, and tall, slender physiques. Tindi’s art work captures the essence of Dinka culture and identity, while also delving into the shadows and complexities of their history and contemporary challenges. Through his use of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and layered textures, Tindi creates a visual narrative that celebrates the beauty and resilience of the Dinka people, while also shedding light on their struggles with displacement, conflict, and discrimination. The Shadow of the Dinka series invites viewers to engage with a rich and nuanced portrayal of a culture that is often overlooked or misunderstood. Tindi’s art reminds us of the power of creativity to bridge gaps, promote empathy, and inspire positive change. PAINT A SHADOW OF A DINKA “I chose to paint the Dinka because their culture and way of life fascinate me. Their strong sense of community, their cattle herding traditions, and their intricate body scarification patterns are all visually compelling and rich in symbolism. I believe that by painting the Dinka, I can celebrate their heritage and raise awareness about their way of life.” “I have always been drawn to the beauty of human diversity, and the Dinka people are a perfect example of that. Their tall, slender physiques, their elaborate hairstyles, and their colorful clothing are all elements that I find visually striking. By painting the Dinka, I hope to showcase their unique aesthetic and challenge people’s preconceptions about what is considered beautiful.” “The Dinka people have a rich history of resilience and survival in the face of adversity. They have endured years of civil war, displacement, and environmental challenges, yet they have managed to preserve their culture and traditions. As an artist, I find their story inspiring and worth telling. By painting the Dinka, I hope to honor their struggles and highlight their strength”