Master Ntakky’s exhibition sparks mental health dialogue

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Through the strokes of his brush and the colours of his palette, Master Bright Ntakky’s solo art exhibition Ija Nkutebeze opened a powerful dialogue on mental health and cancer subjects too often buried in silence and stigma.

Held at Nommo Gallery in Kampala on Friday, the exhibition showcased a collection of vibrant, emotionally charged pieces that reflect the artist’s personal encounters with mental health. Each canvas becomes a window into his soul, portraying pain, hope, and the search for healing.

Ija Nkutebeze is not just an art collection; it’s a deeply introspective journey through life’s contradictions, pain and beauty, chaos and stillness, loss and legacy.

With spiritual symbolism, autobiographical elements, and social commentary, the exhibition paints a complex yet heartfelt narrative.

The titular piece, Ija Nkutebeze, portrays the crucifixion, not only as suffering but as the genesis of redemptive peace. Other works tackle themes like identity, memory, gender, and survival, transforming trauma into testimony through vivid texture and colour.

Master Ntakky arriving for the Master Ntakky’s solo art exhibition at the Nommo Gallery in Kampala on August 1, 2025. (Photo by Lawrence Mulondo)

Art as testimony

Every artwork in the exhibition carries a story. Anticipation recounts the life of Lawrence, a struggling student changed by an act of kindness. Frequency of Gender critiques body commodification in a hyper-visual world.

Legacy reflects on generational heritage through the Mukasa family. Into the Sunrise honours unsung heroes of Uganda’s COVID-19 lockdown.

In Unmasked, the agony of confronting the truth takes centre stage. Eat or Be Eaten questions a society veiled in self-interest.

Who Am I? reflects on identity as an evolving journey, rather than a fixed label.

These pieces are more than visual; they are literary. They reveal layers of betrayal, heartbreak, spirituality, and redemption. Ntakky’s work turns canvas into confession.

Speaking through silence

Ntakky says his inspiration came from watching loved ones battle mental health challenges, some of whom he lived with and witnessed closely. Their struggles, he says, became his call to action.

“We as artists can rally together against the cancers that are eating our society,” he said. “We call upon governments to support and stand with us. Hopefully, we will save our country.”

According to Ntakky, many of the stories behind his work come from real individuals who have survived—or succumbed to—cancer and mental illness.

His hope is that a thousand years from now, his work will still resonate, inspiring not just art lovers but filmmakers, musicians, and thinkers globally.

The man behind the brush

Born in the hills of Kabale, Bright Ntakky, popularly known as Master Ntakky, is more than a painter. He is a healer, a dreamer, and a visionary.

His passion for storytelling transcends the canvas and reaches into mentorship and education.

He dreams of establishing a collective learning centre where young people can explore the intersection of African heritage and modern digital culture through art.

For Ntakky, art is a bridge between generations, continents, and consciousness.

His exhibition is the first step in a broader journey. From Kampala, Ija Nkutebeze is expected to tour East Africa, and by 2027, head to Europe and the Americas.

“This isn’t just a tour,” he said. “It’s a mission to share inspiration through art and connect hearts across the globe.”

One of the art pieces that were exhibited at the Master Ntakky’s solo art exhibition at the Nommo Gallery in Kampala on August 1, 2025. (Photo by Lawrence Mulondo)

Healing through creativity

Celebrated artist Noah Nyanzi lauded Ntakky’s commitment to addressing societal issues through art.

“Art itself is therapeutic. When you practice art, it helps release the negative energy inside you. And when others engage with your work, they too can begin healing.”

He pointed to global examples where doctors prescribe museum visits as part of therapy. “Ntakky has raised the bar, bringing advocacy into people’s living rooms with pieces that spark conversation.”

Philip Balimunsi, curator at Uganda National Cultural Centre and manager at Nommo Gallery, emphasised the growing power of African voices in global art.

“What sells internationally is African art,” he said. “But for too long, our stories have been told by outsiders. Now, Africans are learning to speak for themselves.”

He urged local artists to embrace this shift. “It won’t be perfect from the start, but we must be bold. Our stories belong to us, and they should begin right here at home.”

The event was honoured by the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, further highlighting the international relevance of Ntakky’s work.