Deep within the Alliance Française basement, a vibrant artistic expression pulsates in contrast to the city’s rhythm. Congolese artistes Benjamin Mbula and Raphael Bwira are hosting Kampala’s art enthusiasts on a journey to the heart of culture in their ongoing exhibition, Culturehood.

Driven by their immersion in diverse cultures like Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda, Mbula and Bwira explore various themes, including life’s source, African identity, and what defines being human.

The exhibition reflects their cultural exchanges, sparking conversations about preserving African traditions while embracing modernity.

 Mbula, known for his unique use of geometric shapes, celebrates African beauty through art. He uses his work to bridge divides, uniting people from different backgrounds.

One powerful example is his Ubuntu painting, inspired by Michelangelo’s famous Creation of Adam, but featuring Africans instead of Europeans.

In Sankofa, another painting, Mbula combines diverse historical figures who championed black identity. These include Abraham Lincoln, who played a key role in the abolition of slavery; African icon Thomas Sankara who also played a key role in women’s emancipation; and Malcolm X, who promoted black identity.

A closer inspection of the painting reveals symbols like a large snail, representing healthy local cuisine popular in Congo, newspapers signifying personal stories, and the sankofa bird, a Ghanaian symbol that represents the need to reflect on the past to build a successful future.

 Bwira’s Source de Vie (Source of Life) offers another captivating perspective.

In the painting, an African woman holds black and white flowers, representing the different races. She is flanked by Queen Elizabeth II wearing an elaborate African headwrap, on one side, and a female pharaoh on the other.

The bottom corners depict the female reproductive system and a globe, emphasising women's role as life givers.

Bwira stresses the inherent value of women regardless of social status. “Whether rich or poor, black or white, royal or commoner, all women have inherent value,” Bwira says, “They are the source of all life on earth.”

 Not all explorations embrace harmony. Mbula’s Ignorance paints a stark message: Africans forgetting their culture and blindly following the West are depicted as naked and blindfolded. This clash between modernity and tradition is further highlighted by Mbula mentioning his grandmother’s traditional mwana pwo patterns being celebrated in the village, but ridiculed in the city.

 Beyond visual expressions, the exhibition incorporates poetry rehearsals and dance performances, enriching the immersive experience.

 Overall, the Culturehood exhibition invites viewers to engage with themes of cultural diversity, tradition, and identity through the multifaceted lenses of Mbula and Bwira’s artistic journeys.

 The exhibition runs from February 10 to 12 at the Alliance Française basement, starting at 5:00pm.

Entry is free.