Tuwaye 2018
The conversations were aimed at neutralizing the tension that surrounds feminine interaction and discussions. In addition to speaking about their personal works, the participating artists discussed the conditions under which they operate and brainstormed ideas of addressing the problems they experienced.
DATE
3rd - 4th september 2018
VENUE
House of Talent(HOT) Uganda
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Participants:
Martha Kazungu, Pamela Enyonu, Hellen Nabukenya, Stacey Gillian Abe, Sheila Nakitende and Maria Brinch
Organised by:Maria Brinch and Martha Kazungu
Photos by:Miriam Watsemba
Tuwaye was inspired by the work of art titled Tuwaye which was made by Hellen Nabukenya, a Ugandan female artist who makes tapestries with the help of local women who she employs when they come by her house looking for casual jobs. During the creation of these tapestries, the women find a moment to share about their life experiences. The resulting tapestries embody a meaning beyond the actual tangible product. The Tuwaye intensive was about speaking with female artists about their practice and about brainstorming ways to invert things for the good of female artists.
The two-day Tuwaye (let’s talk) convening was initiated by Maria Brinch and Martha Kazungu. With House of Talent (HOT garden) in kampala as a location, the intensive took place on 3rd and 4th September 2018. Tuwaye brought together six female artists to respond to a significant question ‘Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?’ that was first asked in 1971 by Linda Nochlin but is still relevant today. Stacey Gillian Abe, Sheila Nakitende, Pamela Enyonu, Miriam Watsemba and Hellen Nabukenya were the artists invited for the talk. In the attempt to answer Nochlin’s question, the conversations revolved around notions of womanhood while leaning on the specific context of Uganda.
The intensive was geared towards the exploration of potential forms of inhabiting a place and co-existing, critically, with its makeup and development. The conversations were aimed at neutralizing the tension that surrounds feminine interaction and discussions. In addition to speaking about their personal works, the participating artists discussed in detail the conditions under which they operate and brainstormed ideas of addressing the problems they experienced. The intensive was concluded with two visits, one to the home and studio of Lilian Nabulime and finally to the Kampala art biennial.