We believe that Ugandan art is already interesting and that the real issue is one of making the art more accessible to both the national and international markets. The original concept for setting up Signature Art was to create a non-for profit business that could provide the opportunity for Ugandan artists to exhibit their work in a modern professional environment.

Art needs patronage. This could be provided by people of modest income who buy art on a regular basis to decorate their spaces and to use as gifts. These abound on the Ugandan art scene. But how useful are these art buyers to an industry that demands major capital injection for its growth?
In this article, Henry Mzili Mujunga questions the role of the corporate sponsors of Arts in Uganda.

A cow. A boda boda. A woman carrying her child in a sling. A man pushing a wooden wheelbarrow. George Kyeyune sees extraordinary stories in ordinary events.
”If I can record these moments in time as permanent images. To engage my audience. To show you our history. To provoke you and challenge you about who you are. Then I have accomplished my mission as an artist”.

Ronex Ahimbisibwe shows you, step-by-step, how to first make a mould using fiberglass and resin, then cast a fiberglass piece of art from that mould. With these instructional videos, Start lets you get familiar with creative techniques.

The recent Totems of Uganda painting project by Taga Nuwagaba was nothing short of a new testament of creative thinking and artistry put together. During the opening at the Uganda Museum, most patrons agreed that Taga had raised the bar of visual arts presentation: The more than 1,500 guests, the fanfare, and much more, was a far cry from what had come to typify art Ugandan exhibitions in a very long time.

“Artists must become more visible and more aggressive in their social dealings. Their messages should become more provocative and defiant. The writers should take time to write about their own work and make sure it is published regularly.” Eria ‘Sane’ Nsubuga speaks out about the steady decline in representation of artist and message in Ugandan media.

Proper organizational structures and control mechanisms to ensure clear accountability for resources received. These two aspects are needed if financial institutions shall provide for co-financing of the creative industries in East Africa.

Start Journal will launch its fifth issue online. With the move to the Internet, Start aims to be an entry point for exploring East African Arts. But, of course, we can never beat the live experience at the galleries and art exhibitions.

At this website you will be able to interact with art, artists and artistic techniques, read strong and personal expressions about the local art scene, and give artists and writers valuable feedback and comments. By doing this, Start hopes [...]