The First Week...odds and ends

A good friend of Fred's and someone who I have enjoyed getting to know over the years is Rose Mwanja, chief conservator from the Uganda Museum. She has been so gracious to me as I have been researching plaited mat making and bark cloth. During my trip in 2008, she was one of the scholars who was interviewed for the Material Evolution exhibition. We barely made it through the interview for laughing so much. I am very thankful for her support. She was to make it to the exhibition in Masaka but had an emergency at the museum the morning of - we missed having her there! That is Fred seated to her right.



During my trip, someone asked me who Fred Mutebi was and what he did. I tried to explain about his artwork, his work with children and the community, but it was becoming too lengthy - so I just said that he is an artist activist. I feel that is a good title for an artist who is so concerned about the trials of his country that he works hard using what he knows, art, to brings about conversation and provoke people to think about issues. I say all of this to introduce a project that I was able to see Fred work on with secondary school students at the Lubiri Secondary School. In February, elections will be coming and with that the potential for violence. Fred worked with an organization called Fair Pen (www.fairpen.com) to organize the creation of a Talking Mural with the theme of "Together we can talk to avoid electoral violence."
Fred continued this message as he worked with the Lubiri students to create prints using a reductive method. I had the opportunity to attend and talk with some of the students. I am including some images from that workshop.

The first week....meeting Expedito

This first week back in Uganda was about putting the finals touches on the plans for the Masaka program. I was running around town touching base with friends, organizing aspects of the trip with Fred, etc etc. What I continue to love about Uganda is that you can never expect what will open up, who you will meet, and what experience you will have from day to day. Through an acquaintance of Momma Jus's, we set off to the house of "an artist who collects art and crafts." So with that explanation we arrived to meet Expedito Mwebe Kibbula and his son, Michael.

This description was an understatement of both the house and the artist. His house is the studio, every corner loaded with sketches, drawings, books, visual stimulus that draws you in. I have to say that in the short time we spent with Expedito and his son, he made a definite impression. He has such a life and desire to see in all things - beauty. His collections of thousands of leaves, where each one is a narration of an event, or reflects another object - is astounding and just a small part of his collections. He is one of those rare people who takes the time to stop - to think, to look, to feel. And he wants everyone else to do the same. With all of the projects I have been working on recently, I forget that I am an artist, and what I have to say is that Expedito caused me to remember that.

As we were talking, he says that he feels as though he lives in a dream - one that we all hope to step into.

From the beginning...

There are some major gaps to fill in - large parts of my time in Uganda only exist as photos saved on my desktop. As a remedy to this situation, I thought that I would begin again.....
I must first say that this project would not have been the success it was without the talent of Becca and Amanda (highlighted in an earlier blog). What I found so refreshing is that I was able to see everything with a fresh perspective. This was my 5th trip back and in some ways there is a sense of the familiar. Becca and Amanda did not have that. So they allowed me to see things new again - thanks ladies!
So that I can highlight the general aspects of this trip, the best format (although a little organized for my taste) will be short paragraphs......

The luggage...... The ever ambitious and amazing Amanda and Becca managed to get loads and loads of art supplies donated for the workshops. More than was possible to even think of taking! So with over 500 pounds of luggage we managed to make it to Kampala. I love the look on Amanda's face as she is trying to sort out some of the luggage.

The incredible family..... This is my third year to stay with the amazing Bosa family. Prof Bosa, Momma Jus, Momma Ruth, and everyone else (too many to name) are some of my favorite people in the world, this is not an overstatement. I feel that part of me is home when I am there. Momma Jus is an avid gardener, just look at the beauty surrounding us. It is also not an understatement to say that I eat Thanksgiving dinner every night...matooke, ground nut sauce, fish, chicken, greens, potatoes, salad, fresh squeezed juice..and on and on.




Getting around.... Oh how we take for granted traffic signals, emission standards, and rules of the road. If it wasn't for my driver Herbert Nsiiro, I would not make it in Kampala. I would be forced to ride public transportation (I don't even want to go there...you'll see the photo of a boda boda) First, he is an excellent navigator whose goal is to avoid any and all jams. Second, he has been an incredible guide to the culture and politics of Uganda. I joke with him that he knows everything - and he does. Whatever you need, he can get...want some paper cut, DVD burned, to get out of a traffic stop, where to get a new tire in under 15 minutes, name it and he knows. So if you read this Herbert, I still have that map for you!