DSC_4018-900The innovation of bark cloth paper and its use in art work, coupled together with different research and experiments with alternative, organic materials for canvas such as grass, sisal, sugar cane husks and maize covers. This was the innovative art work showcased at the Art and Community Exhibition, by artist, Mathias Tusiime.

Art and the Community exhibition showcased Tusiime’s experiments with paper production from recycled materials as well as painting from his heart have been shared with young often unemployed people of Kalerwe a poor neighborhood in the outskirts of Kampala

Mathias Tusiime has been a grounds man at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art since 1999, he however did not allow his job to define all that he was. With great curiosity and a desire to learn, he interacted and engaged with art students and art teachers who helped guide and direct his raw talent.

Without any formal education, the self-taught artist and paper maker has developed a unique personal style of painting which has seen him blossom in the art scene both nationally and internationally.

The Uganda Community Art Skill Development and Recycling (UCASDR) project, was also officially launched during the opening of the exhibition. This project, in which Mathias is   director, uses Art and Craft to address health issues and also helps impart entrepreneurial skills to young people. Through the UCASDR project, Tusiime works with and has been able to empower the unprivileged people of Kalerwe suburb in Kampala by teaching them craft skills that can help them to earn a living.

Art and The Community Exhibition was opened at Makerere Art Gallery on 9th July 2015 and run through the 1st of August 2015.

For more pictures of The Art and The Community Exhibition, please visit our Gallery.