Facesup art exhibition addressing the influence of role models

Influence is a controversial word in itself. But, the fact is, many people in the world draw inspiration from others, to be particular, role models. And these role models indirectly contribute a lot to the lives of the people who look up to them. For many young youths the inspiration goes as far as a role model influencing one's character, common for popular singers.

The unrated impact of role models in society is the inspiration behind, Faces up Exhibition taking place at Makerere Art Gallery in Makerere University.

The exhibition, which opened last Thursday, has a line of 30 portraits of some of the top figures in the country. Works are presented in different styles like painting, pencil drawing and paper cutting.

For starters, the exhibition curated by Mukyala Hasifa, is part of the Faces up Art campaign, an initiative of seven young artists that seeks to connect youths with the icons in the community with intentions to create a platform for youth to interact with people they admire and feel are influential.

Through the campaign, Emmanuel Sekitoleko, the team leader says they go to different communities and talk to young people to tell them who inspires them and why. "We, thereafter, reach out to the person and try to connect the two to that the role model shares knowledge and experience the admirer," he explains.

The exhibition is first of its kind for the campaign that started in February this year. Works are four young artists; Oscar Kamanyira, Raymond Byaruhanga, Arion Bonaface, and Sekitoleko.

Works range from the corporate sector, arts industry, and political scene to sports.

Top faces showcased include, Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, KCCA's Jennifer Musisi, Uganda Cranes' Denis Onyango and Buganda Katikkiro Peter Mayiga. The exhibition ends on Friday 28.