One of the largest East African visual artists’ exhibition dubbed the East African Visual Artists Connect Exhibition, opened October, 14 at the Nommo Gallery in Kampala Uganda. The one of a kind exhibition brings together artists from various the region with the aim of creating an avenue for the young, promising and already established artists to engage with each other on the same level at the same time growing the east African art industry.
The exhibition which has been organized by Uganda Visual Artists and Designers Association (UVADA) and Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) has attracted artists from; Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Among the artists lined up for the exhibition are: Lutengano Mwakisopile, Phidelice Gervacy and Mac Sawaya (Tz); Edizon Musavuli (DRC); Maheder Haileselassie ( Ethiopia); Sam Njuguna, Adrian Nduma and Robert Kungu (Kenya); James Aguer Garang, Akot Deng Aoth, Deng Majid Chol, Suleiman Ahmed Abdala, Khalid Kodi and Bol Manas ( S. Sudan) Izabiriza Moses and ( Rwanda)
The hosts have the following exhibitors; George Kabonge, Doddridge Busingye, Michael Mathew Kayiwa, Kanyike Tom, Enoch Mukiibi, Roshani . M. Silibani, Musinguzi Gilbert, Kiggundu Rodney, Simon Katumba, Waddimba Edward, Franco Kayiira, Elly Niwatuhereza, Kalungi Godfrey, Paul Kintu, Tindi Ronnie Chris, Ronald Kerango and Wamala Nuwa Nnyanzi.
As the art industry blossoms into a major enterprise in East Africa, focus is now shifting to the much needed East African unity. This exhibition could just be a forerunner to bigger things to come. The showcase also puts Uganda on a higher ground as the regions’ cultural haven.
The exhibition, themed “East African Visual Art Connect.” closes on October 30th 2016.