East African Visual Artists seeking their identity

Much that can well identify the tradition of East African countries is depicts in one piece, The Significance of African Heritage.

In a space of 60x40, Nuwa Wamala Nyanzi, the artist, uses Acrylics and Canvas to paint a convergence of various national flags and features associated to African tradition. Features include, a Karamoja stool, a drum, a pot, shield, Omweso, Calabashes and the pyramids of Egypt.

This 2015 paintings that seeks to portray the strong connection of African countries, is among the works showcased at the East African Visual Artists Connect Exhibition at the Nommo Gallery, Kampala. The exhibition has brought together 37 visual artists from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda and Ethopia. Majority of pieces showcased depict the cultures and the society that is Africa.  

The exhibition, according to the curator and president of Uganda Visual Artists and Designers Association (UVADA), Edward Waddimba, is premised on appreciation of the gap between the art work, the artists, and the community. As various visual artists keep adopting modern art (abstract art) that is alien to the community, abandoning the rich and diverse range of styles and technics that are easily understood, the gap continues to widen. The exhibition aims to advocate for the preservation of some of the unique styles and technics basically from East Africa, including Batiki of Uganda, and tinga tinga of Tanzania.

Peter Ojede, the Executive director of Uganda National Cultural Centre, says this is one of the initiatives to fulfil the institutes mandate to preserve, promote, popularise our cultures.

"Visual arts tell our history, present and future. So it is importance for enriching knowledge and for tourism who are coming here," he said.

It also seeks to use visual art to appreciate the cultural diversity in East Africa, Waddimba says. First held last year in Nairobi, Kenya as a result of JAMAFEST, the initiative is a rotational. The exhibition that started last Friday runs up until October 30.