JOHN LUZZE
John Luzze is an active visual artist who worked hard and sacrificed much to put himself through Secondary School and University. (A bigger challenge then one might imagine in Uganda!) Born October 27, 1987, he grew up in a crowded household of 8 siblings but was determined to pursue a diploma in Industrial Art and Design, finishing in 2010. Ten years after receiving his diploma he is painting and passionate about sharing life in Africa through his work. He tells us that the pandemic has caused a huge challenge in the lives of the artists, their families, and the industry as a whole since many of the artists’ works are sold through the tourism market. He graciously appreciates the opportunity to have his art in our collection with proceeds being used to assist he and his fellow artists.
MUBIRU/MAHONY
Mubiru, (local given name) also known as Mahony (artist name given to him by his first client) is a young and extraordinarily gifted artist in Uganda. Born on the 21st of February in 1996, he was raised in a family of four siblings.
He grew up watching his father, Twaha Ausi, doing what he loved best…painting! This was the beginning of Mubiru also loving art! He would visit him at his gallery but didn’t really think seriously about this being his future occupation.
During a school holiday in 2016, he worked with his brother, also an artist at National Theatre, to earn some little money. He learned a great deal about art and began focusing on it as a way of living…a way of life!
Not able to continue in university because of lack of money, he taught himself, concentrating on experimenting with unique art forms, building his career and becoming a well-established and versatile artist.
Mahony says that each day that goes by he continues loving art more and more because “art is part of nature, it’s a way of talking without saying anything. Art connects people worldwide!” He says, “with me, art is part of me, and art is one of the best things God created.” His father remains his mentor in art, but he has other art heroes, like Vincent Van Gogh. He is grateful that his art gives him opportunity to meet many interesting people, such as Ambassadors from all other the world.
One of our absolute favorites, we have been blown away by his Photorealism style. His work, which is done freehand, often seems more real than reality…with painstaking detail. Every stroke looks like poetry in motion with color combinations that seem impossible to paint! Have a favorite photo of a favorite person or pet? Mahony would be thrilled to bring that photo to life on canvas!
SUDI KUKUMBA
One of Uganda’s most respected and well-known artists, Sudi holds a first-class degree in Fine Art from Makerere University where he majored in sculpture and painting.
He was born in 1962 and continues being busy with his family including ten children! The capitol city of Kampala is adorned with his sculptures at major buildings including the Sheraton, Grand Imperial, Bank of Uganda and others. And he’s the official textile designer for the Buganda Kingdom. His dramatic, eye-catching work is unique to him; we think a combination of abstract and expressionism, perhaps. They’re all bold and vibrant depicting life as it feels or appears to him. He’s doing his part in the COVID relief efforts by auctioning one of his pieces along with Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni.