Teesa Bahana on Uganda's Art Scene: Censorship, Neocolonialism, and the Role of 32° East
Teesa Bahana, who leads 32° East – Ugandan Arts Trust, points out the challenges contemporary artists in Uganda face. Founded in 2011, 32° East offers workshops and residencies, supported by organizations like the Doen Foundation and The Sigrid Rausing Trust, as well as individual donors. The small art community in Uganda suffers from a shortage of exhibition spaces, forcing many artists to work from home. While seasoned artists like Fred Mutebi and Sanaa Gateja stick to traditional crafts, newcomers like Sheila Nakitende bring fresh perspectives. Despite ongoing gender bias, artists such as Immy Mali and Leilah Babirye have found success abroad. Government support is limited, and cultural projects are burdened with high taxes. Additionally, neocolonial influences affect artistic standards and many young artists are unaware of their African counterparts. In 2014, 32° East collaborated with History in Progress Uganda for a residency project.
Key facts
- 32° East – Ugandan Arts Trust was founded in 2011.
- Teesa Bahana is the director of 32° East.
- Funding comes from Doen Foundation, The Sigrid Rausing Trust, Mimeta, Outset Contemporary Art Fund, and private donors.
- Ugandan artists Fred Mutebi and Sanaa Gateja are known for bark cloth and paper beads.
- Sheila Nakitende is a younger artist rethinking traditional materials.
- Immy Mali, Stacey Gillian Abe, and Leilah Babirye are female artists who have had residencies at 32° East.
- Writers Kakwenza Rukirabashaija and Stella Nyanzi were arrested under the Computer Misuse Act.
- In 2014, 32° East hosted a residency with History in Progress Uganda featuring artists Papa Shabani, Achola Rosario, and Lwanga Emmanuel.
- The residency was based on Ham Mukasa's trilogy about Buganda kings from the 1930s.
- Andrea Stultiens curated the project and found descriptions of illustrations in Mukasa's family collection.
Entities
Artists
- Teesa Bahana
- Fred Mutebi
- Sanaa Gateja
- Sheila Nakitende
- Immy Mali
- Stacey Gillian Abe
- Leilah Babirye
- Kakwenza Rukirabashaija
- Stella Nyanzi
- Papa Shabani
- Achola Rosario
- Lwanga Emmanuel
- Ham Mukasa
- Andrea Stultiens
Institutions
- 32° East – Ugandan Arts Trust
- Doen Foundation
- The Sigrid Rausing Trust
- Mimeta
- Outset Contemporary Art Fund
- History in Progress Uganda
- Uganda Museum
- KLA ART
- Artribune
Locations
- Uganda
- Buganda
- Kampala
- Italy